Arab Fashion Week, held in strategic partnership between the Arab Fashion Council and Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, continues to evolve and the upcoming 21st edition, which kicks off today, has been re-envisioned to include new spaces within d3 for the dynamic roster of runway shows as well as – for the first time – district-wide activations featuring food, music, shopping and panel talks. There will be participation from multi-national partners, designers and guests and an array of international media and leaders are converging in Dubai for the Fall Winter 22/23 Haute Couture and Spring Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear season of shows.
The week will also be headlined by the one-of-a-kind collaboration between the world’s most diverse doll, Barbie, and the Lebanese couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji – the first Arab designer to work with the global icon. Following the Jean-Louis Sabaji x Barbie performance fashion show this evening the capsule collection presented will then be on view at the Barbie Museum, which will be part of the wider Arab Fashion Week activations.
Elevated with a new purpose-built, dedicated structure for the runway shows and with the line-up of activations, experiences and talents, the Arab Fashion Council and Dubai Design District (d3) - a global hub for art, design and creativity - take yet another step in fortifying Dubai’s presence as a global fashion hub and international reference for the entire industry. Emerging from the pandemic even more aligned in terms of vision and mission, the cooperation between these two organizing bodies is playing an integral role in cementing Dubai’s position as the region’s fashion and economic capital. Women’s Arab Fashion Week (Fall-Winter 22/23 Haute Couture and Spring Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear) will run from today, Monday, 10 October, to Saturday, 15 October 2022.
Talking on the upcoming Arab Fashion Week, Khadija Al Bastaki, Vice President of d3 says: “This upcoming edition of Arab Fashion Week – the largest edition to date – brings a new look and feel to the event in d3 this autumn, which is very exciting. Arab Fashion Week, now in its 21st season, continues to evolve and its profile grow on the international stage and with this, we are proud to present this edition new spaces, new activations, new opportunities and new experiences for our fashion and creative community. We look forward to showcasing both new and established talents from here in the UAE, the region and further afield and highlighting prestigious and creative partnerships and collaborations – all of which are geared towards rethinking the regular. Dubai’s place in the global fashion scene goes from strength to strength and this upcoming edition of Arab Fashion Week will certainly showcase this more than ever before.”
Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer of the Arab Fashion Council, also comments: “We are thrilled to welcome the Barbie x Jean Louis Sabaji collaboration and META’s #SheCreates to our fashion calendar this edition, and we are honoured to expand our alliances with this historic event –one that propels onto the global stage, the work of female leaders empowering and shaping the future of our region and beyond. With a series of music, shopping, culinary events and talks slated to take place in d3, we are confident that the six-days fashion calendar will enrich Dubai’s cultural scene, offering so much more on and beyond the runway.”
The upcoming six-day Women’s Arab Fashion Week will be divided into three calendars: Fall Winter 22/23 Haute Couture, Spring Summer 2023 Ready-to-Wear, as well as a series of curated events, staged in the city’s art and fashion pulse of d3. The fashion shows, starting this evening, are set to see 35 different designers, representing 22 countries, take to the runway showcasing both new and emerging talents as well as returning and more established names. A series of curated community events – open to the public – will also take place across d3 throughout fashion week. These will bring a dynamic and exciting mix of fashion shows, concerts, pop-ups, cocktail hours and tailor-made culinary experiences special to fashion week for the first time.
Furthermore, the week will see the first #SheCreates by META event in partnership with Arab Fashion Council, which will highlight the work of local female entrepreneurs, leaders, and advocates, all of whom are shaping the region’s future. Among the participants at the event will be: Mona Kattan, Co-founder & Global President of Huda Beauty, Kayali and Huda Beauty Investments; Angie Gifford, Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa at META; Caroline Dumont Frotiee, Managing Director of Cartier UAE; Christine Assouad, Entrepreneur, Mentor and YPO; Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures; Alexandra Pereira, Fashion and Lifestyle Influencer and Digital Entrepreneur; Rym Saidi, International Model and Public Figure; and with a performance by singer Ghalia as well. The fireside chats will focus on three themes: changing the narrative, leaders of tomorrow and fighting for your voice. The META #SheCreates event will take place on Tuesday, 11 October and is expected to welcome more than 200 guests, followed by an intimate dinner of selected #SheCreates and fashion pioneers.
META originally launched the exclusive #SheCreates community in 2020, to bring to the fore inspiring stories of women championing the pandemic. Earlier this year, META (which is already AFC’s media partner) celebrated 30 women from across the MENA region with the second edition of its e-book.
Commenting on the upcoming event, Moon Baz, Creator Partnerships Lead Middle East, Africa & Turkey, META states: “As women, we are always building. We are building businesses, communities and families, while laying down the foundations for the next generation of male and female leaders and change-makers. At META, we firmly believe in the power of allyship and it’s potential to exponentially accelerate the progress through support and collaboration. To this end, we have partnered with the Arab Fashion Council, a likeminded organization with empowerment at its core, to launch this programme. It is our way of celebrating the women in the MENA region and their incredible work in breaking down barriers and charting new courses. We hope by spotlighting their journeys, we are able to inspire others to join them in building brave new worlds.”
The Couture designers to showcase collections this Arab Fashion Week are: Dorota Goldpoint (Poland); Stada Boutique (Romania); Rian Fernandez (Philippines); Maison Mada’en (UK-Jordan); Ilse Jara (Paraguay); Euphoria (UAE); All’s (Belarus); Ivan Young (Malaysia); Humariff (UAE; Maliche (UAE); Kel by Elena Kondratova (Ukraine); Pipatchara (Thailand); Mena Talal (Iraq); Lisa Ju (Indonesia); Erick Bendana (Nicaragua); and Ihab Jiryis (Palestine).
The Ready-to-Wear designers will include: Lili Blanc (UAE); Poca & Poca (Poland); Yassmin Saleh (Lebanon); Vidhi Wadhwani (India); BHYPE (UAE); Emergency Room (Lebanon); Zardouz (Iran); Born in Exile (Libya); Louzan (UAE); and Slimi Studio (UAE).
The calendar is now live on https://arabfashionweek.org/official-calendar/
For more info on Women’s Arab Fashion week, visit:
www.arabfashionweek.org
https://www.instagram.com/arabfashionweek/