BE NEXT FASHION DESIGN CONTEST AT GEORGIA PALACE HOTEL IN KOBULETI – TEXT BY PHILIPPE POURHASHEMI

Some of Lasha Devdariani's outfits from his "Pontifex Maximus" collection

Dear Shaded Viewers,

This is my first time attending the BE NEXT Fashion Design Contest in Georgia, and I was impressed by the quality of the collections I saw during our jury meeting yesterday. Georgian designers love black and dramatic shapes, as well as geometrical prints and abstract concepts. I really liked Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili's collection, entitled "The Grave". You will easily guess what color he chose to focus on.

I also loved Salome Mkheidze's collection, which she named "Memories". Featuring extensive African bead embroidery, as well as luxurious fabrics, it had an over-the-top and elegant feel.

We saw 25 collections yesterday, and the selected designers will present a group show this afternoon. We're staying at the Georgia Palace Hotel in Kobuleti, and the view from my room balcony is rather stunning.

Best,

Philippe

https://www.facebook.com/sofia.tchkonia

Philippe Pourhashemi

A freelance fashion writer, consultant and stylist, Philippe Pourhashemi was born in Tehran in 1976. He grew up in Paris, before moving to Scotland to study Foreign Languages. His passions are fashion and culture, as well as music and film. He writes and styles features for Metal in Barcelona, Behind the Blinds in Brussels, Contributor in Stockholm, Veoir in New York and SKP in Beijing. He was named Fucking Young's Editor-at-Large in 2016 and has contributed to ASVOF since 2008, acting as Correspondent-at-Large since 2012. An avid traveler, he likes to explore exotic fashion weeks and unexpected destinations whenever he can.