Dubai Fashion Week: A Resounding Success with 55% Growth in RSVPs
Dubai Fashion Week, the new definitive fashion fixture, debuted with great success, receiving a 55% growth in RSVP’s as compared to Arab Fashion Week in March 2022. Supported by Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, the event saw a full house each night with buyers and designers from major global fashion capitals in attendance.
Dubai Fashion Week’s six-day program saw an impressive range of over 45 shows, presentations and events on the Fashion Calendar, with 28 designers from more than 10 countries showcasing their Autumn Winter 23/24 and Women’s Haute Couture 2023 collections. Many stood out moments from the inaugural edition, including the iconic designs of Amato Retrospective in celebration of 25 years of Amato Couture, which opened the show on the first night.
Dubai-based label Anomalous unveiled the global collaboration with Hot Wheels, the #1 selling toy in the world with over 8 billion vehicles sold. Also, 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.
One of the highlights of the event was the Buyers Talk, a prestigious panel of buyers from the UAE and Europe, which was held by d3 and the Arab Fashion Council to shed light on the elements of a successful working partnership between the designer and the buyer. The panellists included Dani Stenin from Antonioli, 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.
Also, a Designers Lookbook Review was held, giving designers the opportunity to engage directly with buyers and showcase highlights from their collections.
Dubai Fashion Week was a great success thanks to Dubai’s multicultural melting pot and commitment to nurturing the creative economy, as stated by Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3). The event not only provided regional and international talent a gateway to new partnerships, markets, and opportunities, but it also answered a global call for inclusivity and diversity in the fashion world.
Dubai’s unique and alfresco surroundings, including the basketball court and skate park at The Block at d3 and custom-built, flexible structures for the event, added to the hype, broadening the reach of Dubai Fashion Week and uniting the city and region’s fashion scene.
Many fashion partners added to the hype, showcasing a range 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.
In addition, 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.
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. The committees aim to ensure Dubai Fashion Week’s ambitious vision is met, steering the future of the event in a dynamic and sustainable way.
Jacob Abrian, Chief Executive Officer of the Arab Fashion Council, expressed his satisfaction with the success of the new Dubai Fashion Week. He said that they 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.
In conclusion, Dubai Fashion Week was a great success, with its successful initiatives, opportunities for designers’ engagement, and showcasing of exquisite collections from global partners. The event achieved its goal of answering the global call for inclusivity and diversity in the fashion world. It also broadened the reach of Dubai Fashion Week, uniting the city and region’s fashion scenes, and provided new partnerships, markets, and opportunities for regional and international talent.
