As fashion takes over this October for Dubai Fashion Week’s (DFW) second wave as an upcoming global fashion capital alongside Paris, Milan, London and New York – here’s a guide to know everything about it.
Dubai Fashion Week’s first edition took place last March 10th – 15th for AW 23/24, marking its stage as an international creative hub for emerging and established designers for global brands. The five day event spotlighted Menswear, Womenswear, Ready-to-Wear and Couture.
This moment for applause led Dubai Design District (d3), a member of the TECOM group PJSC and Arab Fashion Council (AFW) to shift and cement the shopping luxury capital of Dubai as a centre for fashion business growth and investment.
As the fashion season begins, Dubai Fashion Week will act as a gateway for regional designers to foster partnerships and business with international buyers and distributors but also fuel international talent to expand their global foothold in the market.
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 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 to expect for the upcoming season
The next edition of Dubai Fashion Week will feature a class of more than 25 designers, from 12 countries, including a secret surprise from a world-renowned New York based fashion designer – elevating Dubai’s growing status as a fashion capital (it’s out! Check it out here).
The six day event will feature Spring/Summer 2024 collections from homegrown brands and designers Mrs. Keepa, Dima Ayad and Lama Jouni, and Victor Weinsanto. Also returning for another fashion moment, iconic and distinguished brands Michael Cinco and The Giving Movement will be coming alongside with new names Viva Vox, Anaya, Yaspis and Rizman Ruzain. And features a collection from late Russian couturier Valentin Yudashkin – it’s first look into the Dubai market. This year’s combination is yet another keep for the books for Dubai’s fashion history.
For industry insiders, Dubai Fashion Week is facilitating the IGDS World Department Store Summit, a large-scale global event for department store leaders and business partners on dates 11th-12th October in Dubai.
DFW is also launching The Designers Showroom, an innovative step to foster new opportunities for international talent provides an amalgamation for regional and international buyers, shoppers and media to interact and explore designers.
The Graduate Fashion Foundation – a fresh take into Dubai’s fashion agenda will further support its new growing talent pool of young designers entering the scene showcasing fashion graduates worldwide from over 30 Countries to present their innovative collections and presentations.
FAD Institute, a d3 based fashion university, will also feature a student dedicated show on 11th October. With a focus on student designers, Polimoda, a highly reputable Italian fashion school, will also present a star student, but also partnered with AFC launching a competition offering the winner a scholarship from Polimoda.
Meta, a social media tech powerhouse and DFW’s official media partner, will exclusively champion Panel Sessions powered by Instagram.
The upcoming season, focusing on sustainability also highlights and aligns with the UAE’s year of Sustainability with the COP28 on its radar.
Here’s the full calendar for DFW SS24.
