Arab Fashion Week (AFW), the event that celebrates a wide calendar of fashion shows, pop-ups, presentations and trunk shows is on every fashion lover’s radar. Thanks to extended dates, the first platform in the region to introduce the See-Now, Buy-Now concept is ongoing until 26 October. This has given retailers and luxury department stores in Dubai’s City Walk the opportunity to participate in outdoor fashion shows, trade fairs and in-store events, giving shoppers the chance to take part in the event.
The ninth edition of the fashion extravaganza features over 40 prominent regional and international designers from the Middle East, Europe and Asia presenting their spring/summer 2020 collections. The official runway events, in collaboration with City Walk, are taking place at 1422, the world’s first Ready Couture store and the region’s first ever designer acceleration hub found at the design-inspired open-air lifestyle neighborhood by Meraas. They are showcasing the work of high-calibre designers like Rami Kadi, Ezza Tuba, Fashion Farm Foundation and Charbel Zoe.
Rami Kadi
Additionally, Dhruv Kapoor, Hussein Bazaza, Daniele Carlotta and Nora Al Shaikh are four talented designers that have been selected by Sara Sozzani Maino, Vogue Italia’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of Vogue Talents, to show their collections during Vogue Talents Day. The special day will also allow upcoming designers to participate in a special portfolio review by Sozzani Maino, with the best designers earning a special feature on Vogue Italia’s website.
One of the main features the Arab Fashion Council (AFC) is highlighting in this season’s calendar is the AFC Green Label initiative in line with the United Nations Global Sustainable Goals, which is part of the Arab Fashion Week festival. The objective of the AFC Green Label is to promote a responsible approach to the environment by selecting ethical materials. Aiming for a better tomorrow, AFC sponsors fashion brands from around the world that fulfill the council’s guidelines for a sustainable fashion industry.
Blumarine
The AFC is also leaving out the traditional concepts of opening and closing shows to highlight the essence of the calendar itself and raise awareness in the region about the legitimacy of being on the official schedule similar to the fashion calendar in Paris Fashion Week. Another highlight is this time the trunk shows, which enable luxury buyers to attend a private show in an exclusive salon environment with the designers, are in partnership with Emirates NBD. This allows the elite private banking clients at the leading bank to convert loyalty points into fashion coins to purchase the runway collection.
And as well as the usual private dinners, AFW is celebrating a special partnership with the Fashion TV at a final end of the season party, which aims to bring the fashion week vibes to the city.
