DALLAS and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct 16, 2013/ — As part of the official Eid in Dubai celebrations, the fashion community from across the region will descend on the Madinat Jumeirah this week for Season Two of the definitive fashion event for the Middle East, Fashion Forward (FFWD), which runs from 15th until 18th October.
Over the four days, guests will see 23 designers’ collections across 21 catwalk shows, more than 30 of the most influential regional and international fashion experts will address audiences through 15 discussions as part of the “d3 Fashion Talks” and guests and buyers alike will be able to shop at over 50 collections of regionally made accessories in The Garden.
Established and emerging designers from Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the wider UAE, will present their latest Spring/Summer ’14 collections to packed out halls. Over 50 regional and international buyers will attend over the four days, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Boutique 1.
There will also be a strong presence from top-tier media, from across the GCC, Europe and the US, including Editor-In-Chief of Marie Claire Italia, Antonio Mancinelli and Vogue.com and NY Times photographer Kevin Tachman. The designers’ runway presentations will also be live-streamed worldwide exclusively on Style.com/Arabia, the first Condé Nast fashion and beauty publication in the Middle East.
Alongside the runway presentations will be a series of talks and panel discussions, supporting FFWD’s vision to foster debate and nurture the growth of the regional fashion industry. These discussions are in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), and form the “d3 Fashion talks”.
International fashion experts including Ben Malka, Chairman and CEO of Halston, Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) member and designer Nanette Lepore and the Dean of Parsons The New School For Design, Simon Collins, will address audiences drawing from their wealth of experience in the industry.
Also part of the “d3 Fashion Talks” and continuing their support from Season One, are London College of Fashion and Domus Academy, Milan, who will once again bring their academic expertise, hosting talks across the four days.
Season Two has attracted the support of suitably stylish and iconic brands, including Audi, who continue their support of emerging fashion markets, and Mac, L’Oreal and Koko Nails who will be ensuring all of the models are runway ready. Guests will also be able to purchase, for the first time in the region, the latest limited edition Evian water bottles, designed by internationally acclaimed Lebanese designer Elie Saab.
The designers showing this season are:
AMATO by Furne One
AMIRA HAROON
AZIZ HUMAID presented by NICHE ARABIA
CHARBEL ZOE presented by IN Magazine
DIMA AYAD
DINA JSR
ENDEMAGE
ESSA presented by GRAZIA Middle East
EZRA
GISELLABLU
HEMA KAUL
HOUSE OF FATAM
KAGE
MADIYAH AL SHARQI
REEM AL KANHAL presented by HIA Magazine
STARCH
TAHIR SULTAN presented by The CARTEL
TALLER MARMO
THE EMPEROR 1688
TOUJOURI
ZAYAN THE LABEL
For the full schedule please visit www.fashionforward.ae
