DUBAI: Designer Julien Dossena presented his Paco Rabanne Spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection this week, paying homage to the French label’s debut collection “Twelve Dresses in Unwearable Materials,” which was presented back in 1966. The collection caused a stir at the time over its use of metals, plastics, paper, rubber and cardboard.
Fast forward to 2020 and many of the women walking in his show were friends — actresses, writers, interns, junior designers and students. Among the models was Moroccan-British catwalker Nora Attal, who walked down the runway wearing a figure-skimming, gold, sequined dress layered over a graphic T-shirt featuring blown-up images of jewels on chains. The look was accessorized with boots set atop tubular steel frames and a sequined leopard print clutch.
Nora Attal on the Paco Rabanne Spring 2021 ready-to-wear runway. Getty Images
Due to coronavirus restrictions, Attal, who made her runway debut aged 17, is having a relatively low-key fashion month this season.
While some of the biggest luxury fashion brands have decided to step back on to Europe’s catwalks, many have opted out of presenting their collections on the runway altogether. Meanwhile, limitations on international travel mean that plenty of top models as well as the celebrities and influencers who attend the shows are staying put this season.
In addition to walking for Paco Rabanne, the 21-year-old also made an appearance at the Dior Spring 2021 show last week.
Attal turned heads wearing a sheer, white lace playsuit with long-sleeves and fringe detailing. She was joined by fellow Arab model, Lebanese Nour Rizk, on the runway.
Nora Attal on the Dior Spring 2021 ready-to-wear runway. Getty Images
The model was first discovered by Jonathan Anderson, founder of the J.W. Anderson label, and shot a campaign for the British fashion house in 2014 before she had even taken her first steps down a catwalk.
She would go on to become a runway fixture. Based in London and signed with Viva Model Management, Attal has worked with a number of renowned designers and stylists and walked the runway for major fashion houses, including Chanel, Fendi, Burberry and Valentino to name a few.
When she’s not turning heads on the runway, Attal can be found gracing the pages of prestigious magazines such as the American, Arab and British editions of Vogue, in addition to fronting campaigns for renowned fashion brands including Loewe, Chanel and Alexander McQueen.
