Geometric 'S' logo in metallic gold representing Shrekahnth fashion label.

Dubai Fashion Week - Evolution : The Spring Summer 2012 Collection

A collection of Striking Textile Design with Unique Fabrics

A relaxed and print-forward edit of designer kaftans and graphic dresses inspired by Gotham visuals, Klimt’s art, and abstract surface patterns—designed for easy, expressive dressing.
Model wearing a babydoll dress with unique textile design neon Islamic art print above the bust and Chinese dragon print below the bust.
Model wearing a reddish-pink and white silk bubble dress with amoeboid-inspired print.
Model wearing a playsuit with an ombré print in natural shades of blue and purple, inspired by organic gradients in nature.
Silk bubble dress with apocalyptic yellow flame and black smoke print from Evolution collection.
Model wearing an A-line dress in Unique textile design of neon woodcut Islamic art print with fire and smoke panels in yellow, orange, and black.
Dark runway arena with the brand name “Shrekahnth” projected in large font before the show begins.
Model wearing a jumpsuit with an aqua life print inspired by Keith Haring, featuring a pleat at the center front.
Model wearing a playsuit printed with microscopic organism-inspired patterns in blue and green tones.
Model wearing a fire-printed jumpsuit with yellow, orange, and black tones, featuring shirring at the waist and a contrasting peplum overlay.

A Visual Study of Textile Design Innovation

The collection examines how textile design connects biology, culture, and movement. Shown at Dubai Fashion Week in the World Trade Centre, the collection tells a conceptual fashion story. It uses visual themes like DNA, neurons, volcanoes, and cultural symbols. These elements evolve through print, shape, and texture.

This collection draws inspiration from nature’s micro details and traditional art. It includes garments printed digitally. Artisans from Atelier in Dubai have crafted each piece with greater attention to detail. We use unique fabrics such as crinkle chiffon, habotai silk, silk satin, taffeta, and velvet. Our artisans created each textile to enhance the theme it represented. The print designs made the collection a lively mix of form and fabric.

From Biology to Culture – A Story Told Through Print

The visual language of the collection begins at the microscopic level. Neurons, DNA strands, and cell textures became vibrant prints. The colours varied from clinical greys and whites to bright blues, yellows, and reds. These themes showed up on structured jumpsuits with pleated sleeves. They also appeared on full-length kaftans with shoulder twists and wrap silhouettes. These designs reflected the organic flow of the garments on the women.

Other garments took inspiration from nature’s fierce beauty. Lava flows, volcanic smoke, and tsunami waves created swirling patterns in orange, purple, black, and blue shades. They were printed on light silks like georgette and chiffon. The shapes flared and gathered to fit women.

Cultures around the world inspire these exaggerated prints. Islamic mosaic patterns, dome architecture, and wood-carved motifs were recreated with modern aesthetics. They appeared in neon and neutral colours on kaftans, dresses, and panelled silhouettes. The standout is a 12-yard silk kaftan featuring geometric zigzag patterns inspired by the South African Ndebele house painting. The bright blue, yellow, and pink colours reflect freedom and graphic intensity. This textile design is central to the collection.

Backstage at the Evolution SS12 show, with models lined up to enter the runway; one model holds the hem of a flared, gypsy-style kaftan.
Model wearing a silk jumpsuit with wood texture print, featuring seamless crotch draping and construction with only side seams.
Model wearing a silk satin jumpsuit with red and gold Chinese dragon-inspired print, dropped waist, and gathered pants above the knee.
Model wearing a silk jumpsuit printed with neuron-inspired patterns, featuring a front panel with gathering, circular sleeves, and tapered trousers.
Model wearing a silk thobe-style dress with full sleeves, side slits, and a print inspired by African wooden masks in royal blue and green tones.
Model wearing a full-length dress with flared sleeves, side slits, and blue Islamic mosaic print, featuring Swarovski crystal embroidery at the neckline.
Backstage at Evolution SS12 with designer Srikanth Yeddula adjusting models’ kaftans and dresses before runway entrance.
Model wearing a crinkle silk chiffon kaftan with shirring at the waist, printed with volcanic eruption imagery in orange and deep purple tones.
Model wearing a crepe silk dress printed with blue-toned aqua life motifs inspired by Keith Haring’s art, featuring fish, sea horses, and rhythmic lines.
Model wearing a silk satin dress with neon Islamic wood carving print, featuring cutout gathered sleeves, a large pleat at the waist, and Swarovski crystal embroidery.
Backstage image of a model wearing a black and orange structured volcanic eruption print dress, standing ready to walk the runway with a show assistant beside her.
Model wearing a structured silk taffeta long dress in volcanic black and orange print, with balloon sleeves and a 15-inch side slit.
Model wearing a silk satin kaftan with 3/4 sleeves, ombré in purple and blue, featuring shoulder and waist gathers and Swarovski embroidery on the deep neckline.
Model wearing a full-sleeve long silk crepe kaftan with a brown and purple print inspired by Native American motifs.
Model wearing a silk georgette kaftan with Tahitian print, gathered at the shoulders, waist, and knee for a gypsy-style silhouette.
Model wearing a silk satin kaftan printed with ocean wave patterns in deep and light blues, heavily hand-embroidered with Swarovski crystals on the neckline.
Back view of a model with a ponytail preparing to walk the runway, wearing a mosaic Islamic art print kaftan.

Craftsmanship and Surface Ornamentation

Evolution SS12 was a memorable and elaborate collection for its unique prints, which blended into detailed textile designs and surface elements. The garments did not rely on print alone to tell their story. Many pieces had detailed pleating, gathered seams, draped shoulder twists, and wrap panels, which reacted to the prints’ direction and intensity.

The collection’s significant artisan work was its use of hand embroidery. Swarovski crystals, pearls, glass beads, and tribal-style accents highlighted parts of the print. They added dimension, and the light stunningly reflected off them.

Notable examples included:

  • A volcanic eruption-print kaftan with tribal beadwork at the neckline.
  • A neuron-printed jumpsuit featuring crystal embroidery on the shoulders.
  • A dome-inspired silk kaftan with Swarovski detailing spreads out from the neckline, inspired by architecture.

 

These embellishments were not just decorations. They were thoughtful additions that helped expand the story and highlight key visuals. Embroidery took many forms. The embroidery designs followed the shape of a flame, traced a neural web, or mirrored the symmetry of mosaic patterns.

Models lined up backstage in printed kaftans and dresses, preparing to walk the runway at Evolution SS12.
Model wearing a long crinkle chiffon kaftan with boat neck embroidered in red Swarovski crystals, printed with Ndebele-inspired geometric motifs in bright blue, yellow, and pink.
Model wearing a long crinkle chiffon kaftan with a V-neck and heavy Swarovski crystal embroidery, printed in blue Islamic mosaic patterns.
Model wearing a classic kaftan with gathering at the waist and neckline hand-embroidered, printed with Islamic dome interior motifs.
Model wearing a kaftan with biological print, gathered at the center front and waist, inspired by cellular and microscopic structures.
Model wearing a classic kaftan with Chinese dragon print and Swarovski crystal hand embroidery along the neckline
Model holding both hems of a circular Ndebele print kaftan backstage, surrounded by other models.
Model wearing a silk chiffon kaftan with neuron print on top, lava print on the bottom, gathered at the waist, and a pearl and Swarovski crystal embroidered neckline.
Model wearing a full-length silk satin kaftan with DNA strand print on a dark grey base, wrap drape from shoulder to waist, and heavy embroidery on the shoulders.
Model wearing a full-length lava print kaftan in habutai silk with twisted kimono sleeves, barrel-cut cuffs, and multicolored Swarovski embroidery.

Styling and Runway at Dubai Fashion Week.

The collection launched with a dramatic show at Dubai Fashion Week. It started with no light, with bright focus spots shining on the Models walking on the runway. The opening act had two models walking together. The twin sisters of The Shining, a 1980 psychological horror film produced by Stanley Kubrick, were directly referenced in the models’ dramatic runway entrance. It also functioned as a visual representation, indicating displayed development and duality.

Twelve models closed the show with a fanstastic wrap-up. Each highlighting the themes of the collection, they donned patterned jumpsuits, kaftans, and thobe-style dresses. Each model wore custom silk heels that matched their outfit’s print, linking the fabric, shape, and body together.

Models wore tribal-inspired eye markings that appeared as scratchy black-and-white lines. They also wore braided hairstyles styled into top buns. This makeup and hair reflected the collection’s mix of discipline and wildness.

A Study in Textile Design and Original Fabric Language

At its core, Evolution SS12 is a study in textile design. The prints weren’t just decorations. They were visuals based on research, moving directly from concept to surface. Each print acted like a visual thesis. They drew from microscopic images, volcanic activity, and tribal symbols. Unique fabrics and precise tailoring made them wearable.

The collection had custom-printed silks, structured silhouettes, and surface embellishments. It felt both experimental and complete. It’s more than a fashion show. It shows how fabric tells a story. The narrative unfolds not just in shape or feeling, but on the textile’s surface.

Models standing in line for the finale walk, wearing printed silk kaftans from the Evolution SS12 collection.
Close-up of a babydoll dress with neon Islamic woodcut motifs above the bust and Chinese dragon print below, showing detailed fabric and construction.
Close-up of volcanic eruption print dress in black and orange silk taffeta, showing orange Swarovski crystal stick-on elements along the surface.
Close-up of Chinese dragon print silk jumpsuit from the waist down, showing gathered trousers and coordinated heels made in the same printed silk.
Close-up of the volcanic eruption print kaftan from the waist down, showing gathered silk chiffon and heels made from the same fiery print.
Close-up of the lower half of a silk thobe dress with African mask print in royal blue and green, paired with high heels made from the same printed silk material.
Finale runway image of 12 models walking in a line of middle eastern fashion wearing various printed styles from the Evolution SS12 collection.
Close-up of neuron-printed jumpsuit in blues and oranges, shown from waist down with matching fabric-covered heels.
Close-up of DNA print kaftan from waist down with matching silk shoes in yellow, orange, and blue on dark grey.
Close-up of Islamic mosaic print kaftan in blue from waist down with custom silk shoes in the same geometric pattern.
Close-up of Chinese dragon print kaftan in red and gold with hand embroidery, matched with silk shoes in the same fabric.
Lower half of lava-printed kaftan with twisted sleeves, paired with silk heels in the same orange and purple pattern.
Close-up of neon and dragon print babydoll dress from waist down, with matching printed silk shoes.
Back view of six models from the finale walk, shown from the waist down wearing the final six printed styles of Evolution SS12 with matching silk shoes.
Model getting right eye makeup done with scratch-like lines, in preparation for the show.
Model getting hair styled into a mid-parted braid with a top bun, assisted by hairstylist.
Close-up of model’s right side of face with white and black scratched makeup design.
Makeup artist painting black and white scratched lines on model’s face backstage.
Model getting her hair straightened backstage during pre-show preparations.
Designer Srikanth Yeddula standing beside model with completed makeup and hair.
Guest sitting in the makeup area during backstage preparations.
Model getting her hair braided by stylist backstage before the show.
Model sitting for makeup application by artist backstage before runway.
Dubai Fashion Week show director rehearsing runway choreography with two models holding hands, recreating the opening walk for Evolution SS12.
Runway rehearsal with 12 models practicing the closing walk for the Evolution SS12 show at Dubai Fashion Week.
Model smiling and showing her completed makeup in a candid backstage moment at Evolution SS12.
Close-up view of model’s braided hair, showing the precision and patterning used in the styling for Evolution SS12.
Model getting her hair straightened and styled into a bun by hairstylist backstage before the show.
Makeup artist painting scratch-style details on a model’s face during backstage prep at Evolution SS12.
Side view of wood texture print jumpsuit showing natural grain pattern and hand-embroidered Swarovski crystal elements.
Side view of DNA print silk kaftan showing wrap pleats at the side seam, pleated sleeves, and hand embroidery on the shoulders.
Portrait of a model backstage, ready to walk the runway, showing detailed scratch-style makeup and braided hair with a top bun.
Close-up side view of lava print kaftan showing twisted kimono sleeve detail in orange and purple habutai silk.
Side view of African mask print thobe in royal blue and green silk, showing pleated sleeves and blue Swarovski stick-on elements over the print.
Side view of neon Islamic carving print dress with red Swarovski crystal embroidery, shoulder slit, and pleated sleeve detail.
Portrait of model wearing dome-inspired Islamic art kaftan, showing makeup and Swarovski crystal embroidery details clearly.
Side view of volcanic print kaftan showing tribal-style neckline embroidery with crystals, pearls, and beads.
Extreme close-up of neon Islamic wood carving print with red crystal embroidery and fine textile detail.
Side close-up of Aqua Life print dress showing underwater-inspired motifs and side pocket detail.
Portrait of African model wearing ocean wave kaftan with tribal and crystal embroidery, showing makeup and neckline detail.
Chinese Dragon print kaftan shown at the center of the stage at the end of the show, other models out of frame.
Lava print kaftan with twisted sleeve detail shown at center runway between other models at the finale.
Model on runway swirling Ndebele print kaftan by holding both side seams, showing full movement.
All 12 models walk the runway in finale formation wearing final styles from Evolution SS12.

Evolution - SS12 : Dubai Fashion Week

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