The UAE’s highly-anticipated style spectacle, Fashion Forward Dubai, will return to the Dubai Design District on October 30.
A platform for fashion designers in the Middle East, the four-day event will showcase home-grown talent, a new tech-savvy initiative and fresh faces to look out for.
Fashion At Your Fingertips Seen something you love on the catwalk but have to wait six months to get your hands on it? Fashion Forward Dubai is launching the region’s first ever fully shoppable Fashion Week straight from your phone, thanks to Zbooni, a tech app that helps businesses with the tools to sell.
The event which showcases both regional and international designers, will allow attendees to shop immediately from the catwalks and presentations via messaging services including WhatsApp.
Hass Idriss: The Beirut-based designer moved to London aged 17 to study fine arts, and showed his first collection at London Fashion Week in 2009. Shadowing the visionaries from David LaChapelle to Alexander McQueen his collections fuse art and technology.
Farah Wali: Farah Wali is a mixed media artist known for her innovative collections that showcase wearable art. She won the Fashion Star Arabia competition in 2018, the first and youngest female Egyptian to win a fashion contest in the Middle East.
Tanya Skaff: Born and raised in Africa, Tanya Skaff aspired to become a designer from the age of nine, with a special interest in textiles and tailoring. Her practice is informed by a desire for storytelling, and in 2017 she was awarded the ‘Elie Saab internship for commitment to excellence and craftsmanship’.
Rebecca Zaatar: The Beirut-based designer was discovered by Elie Saab and joined his creative team for seven years. In April 2016, she launched her own clothing line, Thym.
Jessica Khoueiri-Achkar: Lebanese designer Jessica Khoueiri-Achkar created her label Jessica K in 2010 with the modern woman in mind. Her feminine silhouettes are mixed with an urban edge for easy day-to-night dressing.
For the 10th consecutive season, avant-garde label Amato will close the show; created by designer Furne One and textile expert Rashid Ali, the UAE brand has a cult following which includes Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey.
Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco will also present his latest array of elegantly embellished designs. From Beyoncé to Jennifer Lopez, Cinco’s couture creations attract an A-list crowd of admirers.
In-Between Shows When you’re not sat front row, attend thoughtful talks and panel debates from Laudomia Pucci of Emilio Pucci, beauty entrepreneur Joelle Mardinian and sustainability supporter Shahd Al Shehail. From brand storytelling on social media to the future of fashion — everything is up for discussion.
The event will also feature The Garden; a pop-up concept with hand-crafted jewellery, unique handbags and alternative accessories to browse and shop.
Fashion Forward Dubai returns to Dubai Design District from October 30 to November 2, 2019; Fashionforward.ae
