Dubai Fashion Week: The Emergence of the Fifth Global Fashion Capital
Dubai Fashion Week recently concluded with a bang, and the numbers are in – it recorded a remarkable 55% growth in RSVPs compared to its preceding event, the Arab Fashion Week held in March 2022. The event was supported by Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, and was hailed as one of the most successful events in recent years. With the runaway success of Dubai Fashion Week, the city is on its way to becoming the next global fashion capital, joining the ranks of Paris, New York, London, and Milan.
The 6-day event that launched Dubai Fashion Week featured more than 45 shows, presentations, and events on the fashion calendar, with over 28 designers from more than 10 countries showcasing their Autumn Winter 23/24 and Women’s Haute Couture 2023 collections. The event not only provided regional and international talents with a gateway to new partnerships, markets, and opportunities, but it also answered a global call for inclusivity and diversity in the fashion world.
Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), Khadija Al Bastaki, commented, “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. This was possible thanks to Dubai’s multicultural melting pot and commitment to nurturing the creative economy.”
Dubai’s Bid to be the Fifth Fashion Capital Destination
Dubai is a city renowned for its vibrant economy, towering skyscrapers, luxury lifestyle, and rich cultural heritage. Its emergence as a fashion capital is no surprise, given its cultural diversity and cosmopolitan spirit. With Dubai Fashion Week’s runaway success, the city is making a bid to become the fifth global fashion capital, joining the ranks of Paris, New York, London, and Milan.
Dubai Fashion Week’s success is a testament to its unique ability to offer haute couture fashion that caters to a diverse global audience. The event is an amalgamation of creativity and innovation from international designers, fashion industry professionals, and fashion enthusiasts from around the globe. Dubai Fashion Week’s ability to showcase such a wide range of styles and design aesthetics has been pivotal in its success and its efforts to become a core contributor to the global fashion dialogue.
Dubai Fashion Week’s Runway Highlights
Dubai Fashion Week featured a dazzling array of collections, with some of its noteworthy highlights including:
– Amato Retrospective’s iconic designs in celebration of 25 years of Amato Couture opened the show on the first night.
– Dubai Fashion Week’s penultimate day featured the collections of DFW members part of the designer committee, Dima Ayad, Lama Jouni, and Mrs. Keepa.
– 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.
These collections were just a few of the many dynamic designs showcased throughout the event, which received a strong buyers’ presence with representatives from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Arab world in attendance. The event made history as the first-ever Buyers Talk was organized, bringing 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.
A number of new initiatives were launched too, including a steering committee for Dubai Fashion Week, a new buyers committee, and a permanent designers committee — all of which work under the Arab Fashion Council’s supervision to ensure Dubai Fashion Week’s ambitious vision is met and steer the future of the event in an effective and sustainable way.
Dubai Fashion Week – Beyond the Runway
Dubai Fashion Week is much more than just a fashion event showcasing stunning haute couture designs, but it is also an excellent platform for fashion industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts to unite and attend exclusive invite-only events hosted by fashion partners. These events include Emergency Room and Byhpe’s exclusive after-parties, Hussein Bazaza’s intimate fashion presentation and party, and Level Shoes’ collaboration with Gallery Collectional to launch their new in-store personal shopping services – By Appointment: Where Fashion Meets Design.
In addition, Ferragamo hosted a Styling Masterclass event with Lana Qatramiz and Gaelle Hojeily at Dubai Mall Boutique celebrating the SS23 collection launch; the Stella McCartney label invited guests to a private preview and workshop for the limited-edition Emerald Capsule Collection for Ramadan, while Etoile La Boutique hosted a private lunch to discover Serena handbags.
Final Thoughts
Dubai Fashion Week represents a significant milestone in the global fashion industry, as the event sets its sights to position Dubai as the fifth global fashion capital. The event’s runaway success is a testament to Dubai’s diverse and creative spirit, with a multicultural melting pot and commitment to nurturing the creative economy. With the event’s ability to provide a gateway to new partnerships, markets, and opportunities, coupled with its answer to the global call for inclusivity and diversity in the fashion world, Dubai Fashion Week is on the cusp of becoming a core contributor to the global fashion dialogue.
