Fashion lovers in Dubai, mark your calendars because Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) is set to make its return from Oct. 9 to 15, just mere days after we say goodbye to Paris Fashion Week (Sep. 26 to Oct. 3). The upcoming fashion spectacle will be showcasing an array of local and international designer’s Spring 2024 collections, with a dynamic calendar featuring all-things fashion. It will be the second edition of the event as an official part of the international Fashion Week calendar, joining major cities such as New York, Milan, London, Paris, and Tokyo.
DFW was founded by Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council (AFC) with the purpose of establishing Dubai’s fashion presence on a global scale and providing a platform for designers in the region to display their work.
Over 25 designers will be exhibiting this season, representing more than 12 countries, including a world-renowned designer based in New York that has yet to be revealed. Among those exhibiting original collections are Egyptian-French label Mrs. Keepa, Dubai-based Lebanese designer Dima Ayad, Lebanese designer Lama Jouni, and Victor Weinsanto.
A number of UAE-based creatives will be returning to the global fashion event, including Michael Cinco, Pipatchara, and The Giving Movement, alongside new names, Viva Vox, Anaya, Yaspis, and Rizman Ruzaini. Dubai Fashion Week will bring together talent from the GCC, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North and South America. Additionally, the works of the late Russian couturier Valentin Yudashkin will be presented in the upcoming edition, marking the brand’s first appearance in Dubai.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3 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.”
Echoing on her statement, Jacob Abrian, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, adds, “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 Dubai Fashion Week 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.”
What’s more, to facilitate new opportunities for international talent, Dubai Fashion Week will also host The Designers Showroom, a multifunctional platform dedicated to cultivating a creative community. With this new initiative, regional and international buyers, shoppers, and media will have a common space to engage with and explore the craftsmanship of designers. See the complete list of designers here.
By dedicating multiple slots on its calendar to young designers this season, the seven-day event will further support fresh talent. Featuring 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.
Additionally, the d3-based FAD Institute will feature student work in a dedicated exhibition.
Aside from showcasing emerging talent through a runway show by one of its star students, Polimoda will collaborate with the AFC to launch a competition at DFW during an intimate dinner. A Polimoda scholarship will be awarded to the winner of this competition, which will be announced during the event.
The event evolves from the successful legacy of Arab Fashion Week, which in October 2022
saw its 21st edition. For more information on Dubai Fashion Week visit www.dubaifashionweek.ae or head to their Instagram.
