Runway Review and Interview: Oday Shakar S/S ’17

Oday Shakar’s first showing at New York Fashion Week established him as a force to be reckoned with.

Oday Shakar‘s designs have been worn by red carpet darlings like Sandra Bullock, Dia

nna Agron, and Sofia Vergara. While Shakar has twelve collections under his belt, his first at NYFW serves as a restart of his brand, a chance for him to show a collection that he has poured his heart, soul, and personal history into. Shakar told The Knockturnal that aside from the designs many of the fabrics were engineered by Shakar as well. From flowing, peach chiffon to black webbed mesh each fabric was perfectly chosen to work with Shakar’s design aesthetic. “This has been my dream since I was a little boy It’s also wanted I’ve wanted to do and where I’ve wanted to be” did a lot of self-reflecting Rather than focusing on the technical skills he already was known to possess, his started from an emotional and personal standpoint

“This has been my dream since I was a little boy,” Shakar says of showing at NYFW.  “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and where I’ve wanted to be.” Before his show on September 9th, Shakar did a lot of self-reflecting. Rather than focusing on the technical skills he already was known to possess, his brainstorming process for this collection started from an emotional and personal standpoint. He says, “I really just wanted to show a piece of me in this collection. I took my own life story and brought it into the collection and eliminated all beading and stuff that I used to depend on to make a gown glamorous.” Shakar had an interesting upbringing. Born in the Anaheim Hills area of Southern California, Shakar and his family moved to Baghdad when he was twelve years old. Shakar is deeply influenced by both his time in the United States and his move to Iraq. “For a long time I never felt like I belonged anywhere. I was very conflicted with where I was born and where I was from.” This internal conflict lead to a collection that melds the two worlds into one design concept. Middle Eastern inspired textiles mix with statement belts and accessories that speak to Shakar’s California roots.

Of this collection Shakar says, “I grew up riding horses, so I brought an equestrian vibe into this Middle Eastern design. I try to show that it doesn’t have to be one or the other it can be both.” The equestrian influence is evident inShakar’s Middle Eastern inspired riding pant and the more masculine separates that have sprung up in his most recent collection. His pieces are all about the melding of conflicting pieces from his move as a child to the conflict between traditionally masculine and feminine clothing. One thing is certain, whatever Oday Shakar throws into the melting pot comes out beautiful.