Bringing out your inner goddess

“I looked to the balance of a female warrior, who must maintain her awareness of sensual elegance and femininity, while evoking her strength and individuality,” Samora Olayan explains. With spring’s silhouettes accentuating a woman’s essence and attributes, Samora’s Spring 2008 Collection reflected a healthier woman, with models who showed off curves in her feminine ancient goddess garbs that would flatter any woman’s figure.

For her ninth consecutive season, the Los Angeles-based designer looked toward ancient history for inspiration as her 43-piece collection that personified Bellona, the Roman Goddess of War and was shown on October 18, 2007 for Los Angeles’ Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Held at Stage One at Smashbox Sutidos (smaller than the Main Stage), the atmosphere felt more intimate and the lighting gave off a soft effect, which complimented all the pieces.With musical spawn, Chudney Ross, Diana Ross’ youngest daughter, in the front row, Samora’s collection was shown to a full house as models walked the catwalk to electro house music as the audience ooh’d and aah’d her fabulous designs.

Setting the Roman-esque goddess tone, Samora opened her collection with a silver sheen linen dress with silver and gold shoulder medallions that flowed as the model effortlessly walked the runway. What followed was an array of long column gowns, layered tunics with fitted linen cropped pants, jersey dresses, high-waist wide-leg pants and high-waist skirts balanced with charming blouses.

Military-inspired dresses, jackets and cropped pea coats followed Samora’s “warrior” theme in a predominately feminine collection. Asymmetrical stitched tops and dresses were also a popular style throughout the runway.

In accordance to the Roman theme, Samora accented her collection with gladiator sandals and heels, arm bangles and styled models’ hair in braided up-dos with gentle curls falling from behind.

Choosing a gentle color palette of pastels and spring, the collection includes an array of feminine hues, such as pistachio green, aqua blue, yellow and earth tone browns and beiges. Floral patterns in certain pieces reveal the romantic elements, while the solid colors and structure in others displayed the powerful impression of woman.

Although the entire collection was beautiful and wearable, highlights included a lavender one shoulder, knot mermaid gown, black floral textured, criss-cross halter dress, grey taffeta dress with braided straps and shirred waistline, and the show-ender, a black satin gown with shirred cream chiffon panel and accented with black bow ties.

In an effort to incorporate her collection into the overall “green” theme for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios, Samora used natural fibers, 100 percent bamboo, silk and cotton that are considered eco-conscious and environmentally friendly.

With such wearable pieces, Samora’s designs would look great on any figure and are perfect for women who want to look great and feel sexy while still remaining sophisticated and posh. Stars that absolutely love Samora’s designs (and often wear them), include sisters Hilary and Haily Duff.