Reem Acra Goes Over the Top for Spring 2014

It’s hard to say what made the bigger impression at the Reem Acra Spring 2014 runway show, the hair or the clothes. The hair probably weighed more.

A beauty look is a delicate balance for a runway show. A strong look can complete the styling in a way that shows off the designs to their best advantage. But the 70s roller girl hair at Reem Acra, despite completing a disco-tastic look, was utterly distracting at every pass and only heightened the trashy Vegas feel of the whole affair.

Acra really took up the mantle of the sheer trend, most fabrics were sheer, often shot through with metallic lamé thread. But that wasn’t the only skin on display. A classic one-shouldered polka dot gown that at first seemed like it could be a highlight was ruined when a gaping slit the length of the dress, laced up corset style, was revealed. The lacing didn’t fit with the look, and wasn’t attractive even on a tall slender model.

The mixing of prints, which made for a nice change from full-on gold lamé dresses, was a bit hit or miss. The pairing of different sizes of houndstooth was one of the more successful combinations, though cinched together with that signature gold lamé.

I often enjoy Reem Acra. There were a few black gowns in this collection with the elegance we’ve come to expect. On this runway, the simpler the look the better, but there was unfortunately a dearth of simplicity.