Fashion Week in Dubai kick-offs tonight with a spectacular SS24 presentation by New York-based designer Carolina Herrera, best known for dressing the likes of First Ladies including Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.
In its second edition, Dubai Fashion Week 2023 (which is running all week until Sunday October 15), will showcase catwalk collections from more than 25 designers across 12 countries, along with its first-ever Mega Showroom retail pop-up for buyers and the public.
The event has been co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3) and Arab Fashion Council and aims to shine a “radiant spotlight” on the fashion scene in the region.
Dubai Fashion Week’s strategic partners include Air France, Meta, Microsoft, Dyson and Schwarzkopf Professional.
Runway shows will launch tomorrow evening (Tuesday) with a sustainability-focused showcase by Pipatchara, known best for handmade, macrame techniques, and Dubai Design District (d3)-based luxury ready-to-wear label Lili Blanc.
Other designers showcasing their collections include regional heavyweights The Giving Movement, Dima Ayad, Lama Jouni, Mrs Keepa, Emergency Room and Michael Cinco and new names to Dubai Fashion Week – Viva Vox, Anaya, Yaspis, Valentin Yudashkin and Rizman Ruzaini.
Other shows will include FAD Talents by FAD Dubai; Poca & Poca; Selfmade; Zeena Zaki; Anomalous; Domenico Orefice supported by Polimoda; Slimi Studio; Erik Bandana; Ihab Jiryis; and Designers & Us.
Tomorrow will also see the launch of the region’s first-ever Mega Showroom at Dubai Fashion Week, a designers’ pop-up B2B and ‘Shop the Runway’ concept open to all. Organised by the Arab Fashion Council and managed by FLTRD, the showroom will be hosted at Building 11 in Dubai Design District (d3) and run daily from 10am-9pm.
WHAT IS THE ARAB FASHION COUNCIL?
The Dubai headquartered Arab Fashion Council® is the world’s largest non-profit fashion council and an INGO for the Arab world, representing the 22 members of the Arab League with the vision to build a creative economy by promoting regional designers globally.
WHAT IS THE DUBAI DESIGN DISTRICT?
Dubai Design District (d3) describes itself as a ‘global creative ecosystem dedicated to design, fashion, architecture and art.’ Located in the heart of Dubai, it is a retail district featuring some of the world’s leading luxury brands, design companies and creatives, including architects, interior designers, photography studios, product and fashion designers. It also plays home to popular regional events, which aim to attract global audiences, such as Dubai Design Week, Dubai Fashion Week and Sole DXB. d3 is a member of TECOM Group PJSC.
WHAT IS TECOM Group PJSC?
TECOM Group has been developing strategic, sector-focused business districts across the emirate of Dubai since 1999. Its portfolio consists of 10 business districts catering to six knowledge-based economic sectors, including design, education, manufacturing, media, science, and technology. The Group provides a varied and tailor-made leasing portfolio – which includes offices, co-working spaces, warehouses and land – to over 10,000 customers and more than 105,000 professionals.
Dubai Design District (D3) senior vice president, Khadija Al Bastaki, part of TECOM Group, says: “All eyes are on Dubai and Dubai Fashion Week.
“Today’s programme defines the tone for what will undoubtedly be an inspired edition of the official fashion showcase and reflects the immense promise and potential of Dubai as a global hub for fashion, creativity and business,” she adds.
Jacob Abrian, founder and CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, adds: ” Our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering authentic connections has not only solidified Dubai’s global reputation but has also ensured that the right voices are drawn to our vibrant city, echoing the heartbeat of the fashion world.
Alongside a Dubai-wide calendar of high-profile fashion shows, the latest edition of Dubai Fashion Week includes exclusive events, a trunk show in collaboration with Mall of the Emirates, capsule launches, brand activations and industry talks. The event draws international collaborators, tastemakers, and visitors, with an extensive gathering of media and buyers arriving hot off the heels of Paris Fashion Week to view the seasonal collections,” he adds.
For the full fashion calendar, visit DubaiFashionWeek.org.
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