Egyptian Designer Pacinthe Badran Unveils ‘Rosalia’ Collection
“This collection isn’t inspired by a place, but by a persona.” - Pacinthe Badran
Egyptian designer Pacinthe Badran, founder of her eponymous fashion house Maison Pacinthe Badran, has long been known for her deft use of light fabrics like organza, romantic silhouettes, and her ability to draw inspiration from whimsical elements of nature—whether from the depths of the ocean or the lushness of verdant gardens. These signature touches, infused with fresh ideas, are at the heart of her latest collection, Rosalia, which made its debut at Paris Fashion Week.
The Muse
“This collection isn’t inspired by a place, but by a persona,” Badran explains. “I imagine Rosalia as a vibrant, creative, and alluring Spanish girl. She’s playful, feminine, and undeniably captivating. This is her wardrobe.”
Before creating Rosalia, Badran experienced a creative block. Determined to go beyond conventional geographical inspirations, she delved deeply into her design process, searching for a more personal connection. Seville became a central touchstone—not the city itself, but the spirit it evoked. “I spent hours crafting a mood-board full of shapes, textures, and imagery to bring Rosalia’s essence to life.”
Born in the heart of Seville, Rosalia is envisioned as the embodiment of Spanish architecture, a human reflection of its beauty and grandeur. In Badran’s mind, she is a brunette with olive skin, her long dark hair reminiscent of Andalusia’s fertile soil, her blue eyes echoing the Mediterranean’s depths. “Rosalia is that girl.”
The Collection
“Rosalia adores flowers, so it felt only natural to incorporate floral motifs, especially roses, throughout the collection,” says Badran. She focused on balancing volume and lightness, a challenging equilibrium to strike. “I wanted dresses that felt grand but airy.”
Her love of organza remains a key element, yet Badran pushed the boundaries with pleating and fabric manipulation techniques, ensuring the collection maintains her distinctive voice while expanding its horizons.
Three Words to Define the Collection
“Playful, chic, sexy,” Badran says with a smile.
Where to Wear It
Romantic and grand, the Rosalia collection feels right at home in a setting as sophisticated as Paris, where it was first unveiled. “I wanted to create dresses that make you want to twirl the moment you slip them on.”
How to Style It
“The pieces speak for themselves, so they require minimal styling,” Badran advises. “Opt for simple, timeless accessories that don’t compete with the gowns.”
We agree with Badran’s approach. With voluminous silhouettes, oversized rose motifs, and layers of ruffles, these pieces are best paired with refined accessories—think embellished pumps, floral earrings that mirror the collection’s motifs, a crystal choker, and a coordinating clutch.
• Miss Lola | Love Forever Embellished Pumps in Silver
• Magda Butrym | Floral Crystal Embellished Earrings in Silver
• Jennifer Behr | Rosita Crystal Embellished Choker in Silver
• L’alingi London | Silver Taliya Eternity Clutch
Standout Pieces
Badran’s personal favorites from the collection include the Organza Lavender Gown, the Baby Blue Dress, and the Yellow Crepe Gown. The Organza Lavender Gown, which was the first piece she designed for Rosalia, embodies the playful, sexy, and ethereal vibe of the collection. “Lavender is my favorite color this season,” she reveals.
The Baby Blue Dress, a last-minute addition, strikes a balance between simplicity and complexity with its detachable shawl. “I love a convertible dress,” Badran adds.
The Yellow Crepe Gown holds a special place for the designer as it was crafted entirely by her own hands. “I had a specific vision that I couldn’t convey to anyone else, so I made it myself.” The result is a piece that took painstaking hours to create but turned out exactly as she imagined.
Debuting at Paris Fashion Week
“There’s nothing quite like launching at Paris Fashion Week,” Badran shares. “The audience is completely different, which adds a layer of excitement.” While she has an established market in Egypt and the region, introducing her work to the international scene offers new challenges and possibilities. “You wonder, ‘How will they respond? What will they think?’”
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and being among the select few Egyptian designers at Paris Fashion Week made it even more special. Unlike last year, when she launched her collection in Egypt before heading to Paris, this time she reversed the order. “I’m planning a special launch event in Egypt at Maison 69.”
The Verdict
With her innovative pleating techniques and fresh fabric manipulations using organza, satin, and crepe, Pacinthe Badran’s Rosalia collection is a romantic tour de force that remains true to her signature style while exploring new creative territory.
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