Trend file with Secret Closet: The perfect power couple — Black & Gold

This festive holiday season, set your romantic, opulent self free with rich black and gold.

As simple as it sounds, there is so much you can do with these two treasures shades bringing them together. They form the perfect power couple with gold providing infinite beauty, wit, and confidence, and black completing the equation with strength, mystery and timeless charm. Whether you treat them as equal, or let one dominate the other, the combination can be anything; modern, Asian, reminiscent of the Renaissance period or bear sub-continental influences.

Let’s take a detailed look at some of the ways you can wear black and gold, taking a cue from the experts themselves.



Maheen Karim black and gold brocade gown from FPW 2012

Winter weddings are the best part of the season unless of course you hate weddings! Even if that is the case, you will still need to look great and Nida Azwer shows you how with her winter wedding formals, specially designed for the season. Her line consists of sophisticated long coats in original gold embroidered net fabrics, authentic gota and zardozidetailing. Azwer’s signature screen printed camisole in delicious black and gold is extraordinary. The capes and long jackets are over shadowing the flowy anarkalis presently, and they are a must-have this wedding season.



Aladdin Sane scarf by Fashion Compassion’s ethical brand Lost City



Misha Lakhani velvet devore and zardozi clutch

Winter balls, Christmas, and New Year festivities are all just around the corner. The perfect outfit is crucial to say goodbye to this eventful year and welcome 2013 in style. Luckily, there are plenty of stunning options all in black and gold. From Shehla Chatoor’s original oriental printed dreamy cocktail dresses to Maheen Karim’s seductive gold brocade gowns, breathtaking floral gold detailed black jumpsuits and drop-dead military baroque detailed jackets showcased at FPW 4.



Shehla Chatoor’s original oriental printed cocktail dress from FPW 2012 Karachi-6

These were made for you to steal the show at any event. Chatoor has always been obsessed with the colour pair which can be seen in her previous collections as well. She adds a special touch with her signature gold-metal chain belts, necklaces and brooches to her creations. Sania Maskatiya’s geometric black and gold dilkash print is one of our all-time favourites, an oldie but a goldie!



Salvatore Ferragamo fall 2012

For the in-between occasions, including dinners and so forth, you can’t go wrong with one of Sana T’s limited edition modernistic block print creations. Where there’s gold, there is naturally block print and nothing makes the technique jump out more than black.



Jimmy Choo velvet and metallic sandals

Turning our attention to the international scene, black and gold brocade and in particular 16th century Michelangelo inspired Italian baroque designs were rampant at the fall 2012 fashion weeks. From Dolce & Gabbana, who went baroque berserk to create one of the most intensely glamorous collections, to Marni, Roberto Cavalli, Ferragamo, Zac Posen, and Ralph Lauren all displayed the common gold thread on a night sky canvas of black. The combination looks even more tempting in all sequins, we love H&M’s funky sequined dress and Rag & Bone’s sweater jacket makes it to the top of our wishlist.



Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Prabal Gurung, Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012 (left to right)

Coming to your winter accessories, we have carefully picked out a few essentials that form the black and gold icing on the cake. We are happy to break the exciting news that Misha Lakhani’s luxury accessory range is being launched. Here’s a look at her first piece in black devore velvet and antique gold zardozi embellishments to complete your wedding ensemble. You will also need a stylish scarf to stay warm during your night on the town and Fashion Compassion’s New York-based ethical brand Lost City provides a glittering solution.



Nida Azwer winter formals: Black coat with gota and kaamdani with screen print camisole

A densely embroidered zig-zag metallic sequin scarf inspired by David Bowie’s album covers Aladdin Sane is created by artisans from Lucknow, India, available from their web store. Our pick for footwear are the timeless ultra strappy gold and black Jimmy Choo sandals that will, safe to say, never go out of style. Keep your jewelry minimal if gold is the dominant hue in your attire; however, if you do wear some make sure it’s in the gold family. Wishing all our readers a safe and Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Secretcloset.pk is a single online platform showcasing exclusive designers, collections, trends, news and events, and more. The portal provides a one stop guide to all your fashion informational needs in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2012.            

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