ANDREA BROCCA A Fashion Dream Born in Milan, Made in Dubai WORDS: STEPHANIE BROWNLEE “Even as a 5-year-old I remember loving the aura and the feel fashion had. It was an exciting world with a million options and possibilities…” - Andrea Brocca

he last time I saw the tall, striking and impeccably dressed Andrea Brocca was in line at the counter of the worlds largest

candy store, ‘Candyland’ opposite the aquarium at the Dubai Mall in 2010. We became acquainted at our British school, Jumeirah College. He was in the year below me and I had always admired his flair for fashion. Two years have passed, I’ve left Dubai and Andrea has been very busy. With one of the biggest days of his burgeoning fashion career only days away, he somehow found the time to tell me about his plans through a series of Facebook conversations and emails. The concrete city may seem to be constantly blanketed in gritty dust but nothing can take the shine off Andrea’s eccentric style and prospering future. Worldly, and full of spirit he is now 16-years-old and still a student but wouldn’t look a smidgen out of

place in a boutique on the Champs-Élysées. Andrea’s home of Milan is indisputably associated with fashion and with Dubai sitting just behind London as the biggest high fashion shopping destination in the world, it’s no surprise that he’s been eagerly absorbing the Industry. In fact, listening, learning and developing knowledge is only the very beginning of Andrea’s successful affiliation.

“I’ve only ever seen myself growing up to be a designer,” Andrea told me, from having an online LOOKBOOK.nu account documenting his quirky daily attire of fused vintage pieces and modes du jour, to frequenting fashion events such store openings and shoots and featuring in the style pages of magazines like Harpers Bazaar Arabia, Grazia and Ahlan (Dubai’s own society magazine), there’s definitely something special about him. Alice Temperley –who dressed Pippa Middleton for the Royal

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Andrea with Christian Louboutin at the 2012 Grazia Style Awards.

One of Andrea’s daily looks from his LOOKBOOK.nu page.

Andrea in Paris

Wedding certainly thinks so. "I met Andrea when he was only 13 at a glamorous fashion party around a pool in Dubai a few years ago,” said Alice in The Gulf News Tabloid in 2011. “I was touched by his enthusiasm for fashion. He had a sketchbook with him that he wanted to show me. We looked at it together and talked through some of his sketches…I could see his focus and love of fashion so I naturally obliged when he asked for an internship." Whilst many an expatriate student passed the summer days of 2010 and 2011 returning home or promenading beaches abroad, Andrea enthusiastically spent two fruitful July’s in London, interning for The House of Temperley. “It was a tremendous experience,” he said. During his first Internship: "One day, I was told to design around 30 kaftans, and frankly I hardly even knew what that was. So first, I got down to researching everything about a kaftan — which I thought was a bit random — and after that I decided I didn't want to do the classic kaftan. You can't always go by the rules."

Andrea modeling in a Michael Cinco wedding couture shoot he helped style for VIVA magazine.

One of Andrea’s daily looks wearing the scarf gifted to him by Alice Temperley from December 2011

Alice was impressed with what she would later name ‘The Andrea Dress’ which became part of the Temperley collection to hit stores in the December of that year. By the end of May, 90 pieces in red and emerald had been sold predominantly in stores in London and the Temperley boutique in Dubai. Andrea’s return to Temperley in 2011 was an equally productive and invaluable learning curve. “My mentors insisted I practice my sewing skills and also encouraged my draping skills and independence,” wrote Andrea in an article for his school website. “I came to Temperley not so confident about my sewing and left feeling better than ever, a near professional maybe. I completed a couple of outfits during my time there, of which I was very proud.” Alice agreed to Andrea’s request to help out at London Fashion Week. He wrote, “it was incredible as the clothes looked even more remarkable and glowing on the catwalk…I left shocked by the contrast of the glamorous aspect of fashion and the hardworking backstage staff…I got a glimpse into what I could only pray might be my future.” A year, and a few more wonderful achievements later, Andrea’s parents could clearly see his potential. 2012 would be the crescendo of his work

in fashion to date. The chance to open a boutique and start his own brand arose after a Scandinavian label interested in his designs decided to relocate from their shop in Dubai’s Wafi Mall, leaving it to Andrea’s father who already had a business interest. “It came as a shock of course and I was hesitant because I wanted to master my craft before starting…but my parents always say why start tomorrow when you can start today,” wrote Andrea in an email. Out of the experience of building his brand so far Andrea noted that his favorite part was learning about himself. “I understood and learnt so much about my character and how I coped with situations. Initially when I started working on my collection I was designing for business; I was creating pieces I thought the market would like…then when I went to Italy

Another one of Andrea’s daily looks from LOOKBOOK.nu

The front (left) and back (right) of The Andrea Dress in Red.

I had a complete change of mind. I went to look for materials and I got so inspired, I clearly saw who I wanted to be and what I wanted to represent as a designer.” “To me fashion is about being wearable, and seeing fashion as art doesn’t mean I have to go all Lady Gaga on everyone.” “My mission is to make other people feel confident and special in my designs.” When answering my questions about his boutique and inaugural autumn/winter collection Andrea wrote: “I have to include the element of luxury…I’m neighbors with Chanel and Valentino, it’s crazy!” Including the use of pure fabrics such as satins, chiffons, georgettes and silks. Andrea’s designs sound stunning; “very edgy and dark but with a lament of romance.” “Think Alexander Wang meets, Rad Hourani meets Stella Mccartney,” he said. Continuing the explanation: “my collection is somewhat geometrical with a soft touch of drapery…it challenges a modern take on style

contrasting with a soft fragile sophistication –You will be seeing a lot of neutral colours. I don’t have a colourful and eccentric aesthetic, I am simple and my tones are black, beige, cream and grays.” With the official launch of his brand and boutique, ‘Andrea Brocca’ just around the corner on the 9th of May, and hopes to “sell on popular high fashion sites such as NET-A-PORTER…as well as branching out into Europe and America,” Andrea is well and truly one to watch.

One of Andrea’s drawings.

Andrea standing in his boutique before it was renovated.