Dubai is set to become the region's fashion hub as the first official Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) kicks off this week. Founded by the Dubai Design District (d3) and the Arab Fashion Council (AFC), DFW will utilize new spaces and locations for catwalk shows and city-wide engagements. The event, which runs from Friday March 10th until Wednesday March 15th 2023, will draw international collaborators, design-makers, and visitors to view the Autumn Winter 2023/24 collections.
DFW aims to cement Dubai's presence as a global fashion hub and international reference for the entire industry. This event builds on the Emirate's status as a global hub for business growth and investment. It underscores TECOM Group's commitment to elevating the impact and reach of creatives globally.
The new official fashion event will feature international brands and homegrown regional talents, highlighting Dubai's growing influence as one of the five major global fashion capitals. A steering committee for Dubai Fashion Week, a buyers committee, and a permanent designers committee will also be launched during the week to ensure DFW's ambitious goals and vision are met and steer the future of the new Dubai Fashion Week in a dynamic and sustainable way.
DFW will provide regional designers with a platform to do business with international buyers and distributors, serving as a gateway for international talent and brands to expand their global footprint through the regional market.
The forthcoming fashion week will present a packed schedule over the six-day event, with 45 shows and events involving global brands and designers from across the Arab world and beyond, in celebration of the first city-wide fashion event. A series of panel discussions will take place on March 14th between regional and international buyers to discuss market trajectories.
The Couture designers to showcase collections in this first Dubai Fashion Week will be Marmar Halim (UAE), Karolina's Kingdom (Spain), Lamia Abi Nader (Lebanon), and Michael Cinco (UAE). The Menswear designers showcasing will include Amato (UAE), Maison du Mec (Lebanon), MOK (Oman), Anomalous (UAE), BHype (UAE), House of Victor (UAE), The Whales (UAE), Temma Prasetio (Indonesia), and Emergency Room (Lebanon). The Womenswear designers will include Lili Blanc (UAE), Lallier (Ukraine), Pipatchara (Thailand), Lateforwork (Morocco), Blssd (UAE), Ivodia London (England), Lilo (UAE), Francesca Liberatore (Italy), and Nafsika Skourti (Greece).
DFW will also mark a global collaboration between toy car label, Hot Wheels and Anomalous, the first Arab brand to partner with the iconic name. It is part of the growing synergies between the Arab Fashion Council and Mattel, and follows the collaboration between Barbie and Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji in October last year.
Dubai Fashion Week is a significant milestone in the region's fashion journey and will unite the local fashion scene under DFW's broad umbrella, said Jacob Abrian, Chief Executive Officer of the Arab Fashion Council.
