The official Dubai Fashion Week, which was launched at an intimate event this Spring, has become the region’s definitive fashion fixture. It evolves from the successful legacy of Arab Fashion Week, with shows planned in line with the global fashion calendar. This autumn, Dubai Fashion Week will again provide an international platform for emerging and established designers to grow their brands, securing Dubai’s position among the global fashion capitals of Paris, New York, London and Milan.
Not only will regional designers get to meet and do business with international buyers and distributors, but the seven-day event will also serve as a gateway for international talent and brands to continue expanding their global footprint through the regional market. The upcoming edition will also have a strong sustainability focus, aligning with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and the upcoming COP28 in Dubai.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3) – TECOM Group, said: “The global fashion compass is heading east to Dubai. The city has always been a haven for creative talent on this side of the globe. It is now drawing a remarkably diverse and innovative assortment of talent shaping the fashion industry’s future. The latest edition of Dubai Fashion Week will be a truly momentous occasion in the global fashion calendar and prove that extending platforms for creatives can bring unexpected and extraordinary talent to the fore. Dubai Fashion Week reflects d3’s commitment to empowering designers, fuelling the creative economy and driving greater creative investment in line with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
Jacob Abrian, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, said: “Dubai Fashion Week exemplifies the formidable power of fashion, evolving into a global force that unites talents across borders. The Arab Fashion Council’s steadfast mission has always been to catapult the region’s fashion industry onto the global stage, laying the foundation for a thriving creative economy. This DFW edition represents a pivotal moment in reshaping the global fashion landscape and fortifying the international fashion community. Dubai Fashion Week, with its roster of impressive global designers and strong multinational support, stands as a testament to the event’s sustainable growth. We take pride in our achievements, but our future holds a treasure trove of surprises and ambitious plans.”
The Designer Roster
Dubai Fashion Week will witness more than 25 designers, representing over 12 countries, including a yet to be revealed world-renowned New York-based designer, reflecting Dubai’s flourishing status as a global fashion capital.
The schedule will see Dubai Fashion Week Members showcase original collections, including homegrown designers Mrs. Keepa, Dima Ayad and Lama Jouni, as well as Victor Weinsanto.
Further names on the Dubai runway include d3-based designers Michael Cinco, Pipatchara and The Giving Movement, who will return to the global fashion event, alongside new names Viva Vox, Anaya, Yaspis and Rizman Ruzaini. Dubai Fashion Week will bring together talents from the GCC and Levant, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The works of the late Russian couturier Valentin Yudashkin will be presented in the upcoming edition, marking the brand’s first appearance in Dubai.
Also featuring on Dubai Fashion Weeks events calendar will be IGDS World Department Store Summit, the world’s largest event for department store leaders and their business partners. The event, which will be the first event organized by IGDS in the Middle East, will be staged on 11-12 October 2023 in Dubai.
Furthering its agenda to facilitate new opportunities for international talent, Dubai Fashion Week will also host The Designers Showroom, a multifunctional platform committed to cultivating a creative community and promoting talent. This new initiative will be a staple of the Fashion Week, providing regional and international buyers, shoppers and media a common space to engage and explore the craftsmanship of designers. See the complete list of designers here.
This season Dubai Fashion Week will further grow its support to fresh talent by dedicating multiple slots on its calendar to young designers. Dubai Fashion Week will feature the Graduate Fashion Foundation who will springboard new fashion talent during Graduate Fashion Week with runway shows highlighting innovative presentations by graduate students worldwide from over 30 universities.
The d3-based FAD Institute will also showcase their student’s work during a dedicated show. Prestigious Italian fashion school Polimoda is not only showcasing emerging talent with a runway show by one of their star students but is also joining hands with the AFC to launch a competition during an intimate dinner at DFW. This competition will be officially announced during the event, offering the incredible opportunity for the winner to earn a Polimoda scholarship.
Dubai Fashion Week is possible due to the generosity, commitment and contributions of its strategic partners: Air France as the official aviation partner; Meta as the official media partner; Microsoft as the official tech partner; Nothing as the official mobile partner; Dyson as the official hair tech partner; Kiko Milano as the official makeup partner; Schwarzkopf Professional as the official haircare partner; Waldorf Astoria as the official hotel partner and Lavazza as the official coffee partner.
For more information on Dubai Fashion Week, visit:
· https://www.instagram.com/dubaifashionweek
The event evolves from the successful legacy of Arab Fashion Week, which in October 2022 saw its 21st edition. Dubai Fashion Week will be the definitive fashion fixture emerging from the region, featuring men’s, women’s, ready-to-wear and couture collections and building on Dubai’s status as a global hub for business growth and investment.
