Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) was an event that took place over six days and featured over 45 shows, presentations, and events on the Fashion Calendar. A range of designers from more than 10 countries showcased their Autumn Winter 23/24 and Women’s Haute Couture 2023 collections, and the shows saw a strong buyers’ presence with representatives from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Arab world in attendance.
DFW is a new definitive fashion fixture in Dubai and part of the city’s bid to become the fifth fashion capital destination – alongside Paris, New York, London, and Milan. The event was one of the most popular in recent years and recorded a 55% growth in RSVP’s compared to Arab Fashion Week in March 2022.
Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council supported DFW, and it was held in unique, alfresco surroundings, including the basketball court and skate park at The Block at d3. Exclusive events also took place across the city as part of the vision to broaden the reach of Dubai Fashion Week and unite the city and region’s fashion scene.
As a global creative platform, Dubai Design District (d3) and the Arab Fashion Council are thrilled to see Dubai help shape the global creative dialogue with DFW. They aim to provide regional and international talent a gateway to new partnerships, markets, and opportunities and answer a global call for inclusivity and diversity in the fashion world. This was possible thanks to Dubai’s multicultural melting pot and commitment to nurturing the creative economy.
DFW showcased a wide range of talent with designers demonstrating the highest calibre of creativity and craftsmanship throughout the week, and over 28 designers from more than ten countries showcased their Autumn Winter 23/24 and Women’s Haute Couture 2023 collections. Some of the stand-out moments from the inaugural edition included Amato Retrospective’s iconic designs in celebration of 25 years of Amato Couture, which opened the show on the first night, and Lili Blanc showcased collections straight off the Paris Fashion Week runways, as part of AFC’s partnership with La Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.
Dubai-based label Anomalous unveiled the global collaboration with Hot Wheels, the #1 selling toy in the world with over 8 billion vehicles sold, and Dubai Fashion Week’s penultimate day featured the collections of DFW members part of the designers’ committee, Dima Ayad, Lama Jouni, and Mrs Keepa.
DFW also launched a number of other exciting new initiatives. A steering committee for Dubai Fashion Week was unveiled, alongside a new buyers committee and a permanent designers committee, all of which work under the Arab Fashion Council’s supervision. They aim to ensure Dubai Fashion Week’s ambitious vision is met and steer the future of the event in a dynamic and sustainable way. The announcement on the committees will be made at a later stage featuring all pertinent details, including the agenda and the names of its esteemed members.
Dubai Fashion Week also presented the first-ever Buyers Talk, which brought together a prestigious panel of buyers from the UAE and Europe to shed light on the elements of a successful working partnership between the designer and the buyer, from commercial viability to planning schedules. The panellists included Milan-based Dani Stenin from Antonioli, Paris-based Raphael Deray from Printemps, Caterina Ercoli from Level Shoes, Georgina Gainza from Al Tayer Group (which includes Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales), and Martina Solino from Tryano & Saks.
Following the panel, a Designers Lookbook Review was held, giving the designers the opportunity to engage directly with buyers and showcase highlights from their collections. Fashion partners added to the hype with a host of invite-only experiences. Emergency Room and Byhpe held exclusive after parties, while Dubai Fashion Week member designer Hussein Bazaza held an intimate fashion presentation and party. Ferragamo hosted a Styling Masterclass event with Lana Qatramiz and Gaelle Hojeily at Dubai Mall Boutique celebrating the SS23 collection launch, and Level Shoes collaborated with Gallery Collectional to launch their new in-store personal shopping services, By Appointment: Where Fashion Meets Design. The Stella McCartney label invited guests to a private preview and workshop for the limited-edition Emerald Capsule Collection for Ramadan, and Etoile La Boutique hosted a private lunch to discover Serena handbags. There was also a special buyers’ dinner at Caviar Kaspia in celebration of the first edition of Dubai Fashion Week.
Overall, Dubai Fashion Week was a spectacular way to debut Dubai as the fifth global fashion capital, and it was one of the most popular in many years. The designers showcased the highest calibre of creativity and craftsmanship throughout the week, and the event was a great success. Dubai is helping shape the global creative dialogue with DFW, and it provides regional and international talent a gateway to new partnerships, markets, and opportunities.
