Dubai Fashion Week: A Definitive Fashion Fixture
Dubai Fashion Week, the latest addition to the global fashion calendar, was an unprecedented success, with a 55% growth in RSVPs as compared to Arab Fashion Week in March 2022. The event, which is supported by Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, drew buyers and designers from major fashion capitals around the world.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), expressed her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “Dubai Fashion Week was a spectacular way to debut Dubai as the fifth global fashion capital. Designers demonstrated the highest caliber of creativity and craftsmanship throughout the week. As a global creative platform, we at d3 are thrilled to see Dubai help shape the global creative dialogue.”
Dubai Fashion Week is part of Dubai’s bid to become the fifth destination of choice for the global fashion industry, alongside Paris, New York, London, and Milan. The event debuted with the region’s most dynamic runways, spread across six days with over 45 shows, presentations, and events on the Fashion Calendar. 28 designers from more than 10 countries showcased their Autumn Winter 23/24 and Women’s Haute Couture 2023 collections, making the event one of the most popular in many years.
In an effort to promote inclusivity and diversity in the fashion world, Dubai’s multicultural melting pot played a key role in the event’s success. Following the successful launch, Dubai Fashion Week has become the new definitive fashion fixture that showcases the city and the region’s creative capabilities on an international forum.
Standout Moments
Dubai Fashion Week had several standout moments that offered a glimpse into the level of creativity and craftsmanship on display. These included:
• Amato Retrospective: As part of the celebration of 25 years of Amato Couture, the iconic designs of Amato Retrospective kicked off the show on the first night.
• Collections of DFW Members: The penultimate day of Dubai Fashion Week featured the collections of DFW members as part of the designer’s committee, including Dima Ayad, Lama Jouni, and Mrs Keepa.
• Lili Blanc’s Collections: 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.
• Global Collaboration with Hot Wheels: Dubai-based label, Anomalous, unveiled the global collaboration with Hot Wheels, the #1 selling toy in the world with over 8 billion vehicles sold.
Buyers’ Presence
The shows drew a strong buyers’ presence, with representatives from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Arab world in attendance. d3 and the Arab Fashion Council 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 discussion, a Designers Lookbook Review was held, giving the designers the opportunity to engage directly with buyers and showcase highlights from their collections.
Exciting New Initiatives
Several exciting new initiatives were launched at Dubai Fashion Week. 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 serve 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.
Jacob Abrian, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “The new Dubai Fashion Week is off to a great start. We have already surpassed the momentum gained during Arab Fashion Week, if the packed shows and positive response from talent, buyers and audiences alike are anything to go by. We are already working with d3 to ensure that the next edition raises the bar further and establishes Dubai as a core contributor to the global fashion dialogue.”
Unique Alfresco Surroundings
Dubai Fashion Week took place 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.
Fashion Partners Add to the Hype
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. Level Shoes collaborated with Gallery Collectional to launch their new in-store personal shopping services, By Appointment: Where Fashion Meets Design, and the Stella McCartney label invited guests to a private preview and workshop for the limited-edition Emerald Capsule Collection for Ramadan. Etoile La Boutique hosted a private lunch to discover Serena handbags, and there was a special buyers’ dinner at Caviar Kaspia in celebration of the first edition of Dubai Fashion Week.
Conclusion
Dubai Fashion Week has established itself as a definitive fixture in the global fashion industry, thanks to the city and region’s creativity, multicultural melting pot, and commitment to inclusivity and diversity. d3 and the Arab Fashion Council are working tirelessly to ensure that the event continues to evolve and shape the global fashion dialogue. With new initiatives and prestigious fashion partners, Dubai Fashion Week is set to raise the bar even further in the future.
