Throw on your Louboutins and get ready to pout, strut and swish as the busiest fashion season, like ever, hits the UAE this autumn. There’s going to be a lot of style at stake as high profile showcase events meet some of the biggest names in fashion including supermodel and TV host Naomi Campbell, Versace’s creative director Donatella Versace, Givenchy designer Ricardo Tisci, the twins behind the DSquared2 fashion label Dean and Dan Caten, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and singer Solange Knowles.
And all these names at just one event, tomorrow (Thursday) at the first ever Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience at The Dubai Mall.
Just so you don’t wear out those heels too much, we’ve broken down everything into bite-sized information that’s easy to digest. Get ready for those selfies!
What: Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience
When: October 10, from 6pm to 3am
Where: The Dubai Mall
Definitely one of the year’s highlights, this one-day celebration of everything fashion is endorsed by Vogue Italia. The magazine’s editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani has brought out the big guns, including her close friend Naomi Campbell, model Karolina Kurkova, Donatella Versace, Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten behind the DSquared2 label, designer Roberto Cavalli, Silvia Fendi, of the Fendi label, Givenchy creative director Riccardi Tisci and designer Roberto Cavalli among other big names.
In the fashion world, Sozzani has scaled great heights and so it made perfect sense that she chose the 124th floor on Burj Khalifa on Wednesday to announce details of the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience (VFDE). Her aim, she said, is to bolster and nurture young talents.
“The future of fashion lies with the young. [VFDE] is that opportunity,” said Sozzani to a room full of journalists who had flown in from around the world. The powerhouse behind the leading fashion magazine says becoming a successful designer isn’t always easy. “A talented designer can show collections for one season, but to go on with projects takes energy and effort.”
Sozzani hailed Dubai as the “city of the future”.
“Italian vogue is not just about Italy. It’s about supporting global designers. Tomorrow we have designers, celebrities flying in for this purpose,” she said.
The major names will attend a private fundraiser gala dinner for local charity Dubai Cares.
“We are not focussed on how much we can earn. Dubai doesn’t need our support for that. It’s more about image, more about openess in luring young talent and supporting a young generation. It’s not only about how much the shops will sell,” said Sozzani.
Organisers, however, did not confirm whether or not all of the celebrities will make an appearance at the VFDE, which begins at 6pm featuring major shows and parties across the mall.
We can confirm, though, that madame Versace will make an appearance at her store at 7pm, and so will the DSquared2 twins at their store, also from 7pm.
Vogue Italia’s Sozzani will attend and supervise a showcase by eight upcoming designers from the region she has personally vetted following the event’s announcement earlier in the year. The designers will show their collections from 6pm.
There will also be a photography exhibit, featuring 50 of the most iconic covers of Vogue Italia, which recently celebrated 25 years, to be set up at The Dubai Mall’s Grand Atrium.
Russian blogger and fashion week regular Miroslava Duma is joining luxury multi-brand boutique Symphony, who will be celebrating its third birthday from 6pm and hosting a preview of its new online store. Duma was in town at the store last year, too. Another blogger, Chiara Ferragn, who is also a shoe designer and is well-known for her blog, The Blonde Salad, will be at the S*uce store in the evening.
level Shoe District will also be hosting its own in-store event called Let the Shoe Begin. For this, Beyonce’s sister and fashion icon Solange Knowles will perform from 8.30pm while Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty has also been confirmed to make an appearance. The ‘shoe metropolis’ has also commissioned five footwear designers — Alberto Moretti, Paul Andrew, Rupert Sanderson, Louis Leeman and Edgardo Osorio of Aquazurra — to design limited edition T-shirts to be sold at the event for Dh100. All proceeds from the sale goes to Dubai Cares.
Italian fashion brand Cruciani, known for its bracelets, has launched two bracelets especially for the event priced at Dh100, with profits also going to Dubai Cares.
A special section on eco fashion has also been created at the Waterfall Atrium and will have film screenings as well as showcases of eco-friendly labels.
Besides the Fashion Catwalk in the mall shows will be held at many boutiques including Rivaage, while brands such as Tory Burch, Giuseppe Zanotti Design and Massimo Dutti, Tumi and Kenzo will host their own in-store and VFDE-themed parties. Professionelle Boutique, the store targeting professional women, will launch a pop-up store called House of Five, featuring designers from five fashion cities.
Because those tired feet need to rest, The Address Downtown, attached to The Dubai Mall, has launched a fashionable afternoon tea package, The Boutique Afternoon Tea, think chocolate-dipped strawberries, fancy sandwiches, raspberry tarts, mocktails and (of course, darling) macaroons. Dh145 from 3pm to 7pm at Risala. Call 04-8883444.
Here’s what’s happening at other boutiques:
• Jimmy Choo
Customers visiting the Jimmy Choo boutique during VDFE will be given the opportunity to win one pair of shoes from the brand’s “Choo 24.7” collection. Upon arrival, they’ll be given a key and if the key unlocks the set of handcuffs on display… they’re the winner!
• Stella McCartney
Cake pops on arrival, as well as a branded keychain with every purchase made. A caricaturist will also be on hand to capture customers at their fashionable best.
• Coach
From 7pm to 9pm, customers visiting the Coach boutique will be treated to Galler chocolates and beverages on arrival. In addition, the brand will also be gifting hangtags and branded pens with every purchase, with customers given the opportunity to personalize their new hangtag with the store’s complimentary monogramming service.
• Matthew Williamson
Visit the Matthew Williamson boutique, where they’re giving customers the opportunity to decorate their own cupcake with a variety of delicious toppings! Plus, with every purchase, customers will be gifted a pair of Mathew Williamson sunglasses.
• Moschino
They’re giving away heart-shaped cookies between 7pm and 9pm. A mime artist will also be in-store to entertain, with customers who make a purchase gifted with a keepsake scented candle.
• Pucci
Emilio Pucci is gifting edgy leather cuffs with every purchase made.
• Armani/ Dubai
Visit the Armani/ Dubai store, where they’re offering customers a selection of tasty canapés and beverage from 7pm to 9pm. In addition, Armani Dolci chocolates will also be gifted with every purchase made.
• Armani Exchange
Aspiring graffiti artists can get creative using virtual spray paint directed at a giant digital graffiti wall when they visit the Armani Exchange store. Plus, on top of showcasing their artistic talents, customers will also be treated to mini-cupcakes, with a fashionable tote bags gifted with a minimum purchase of Dh1,000.
• Roger Vivier
Receive mobile covers for iPhone 5 and Samsung and shoe-shaped cookies.
• Sergio Rossi
Mini-cupcakes, as well as a pocket mirror with every purchase made.
• Alexander McQueen
Galler chocolates and a keychain with every purchase.
• Thomas Pink
Bow-tie shaped cookies, as well as branded golf balls with every purchase during VFDE.
• Alberta Ferretti
Galler chocolates and gifting belts with every purchase made.
What: Ladies Day Out
When: October 25 to 27
Where: Sky Bubble, Meydan Racecourse
From the people behind Taste of Dubai comes this three-day bonanza exclusively for the ladies, who, we all know, more than deserve a day just to themselves. From experts doling out fitness, beauty and fashion tips to fashion shows and shopping, it’s all happening at this Dubai event. There’s also tips about what to do and where to go about the best cosmetic surgery, free make-up tips from experts and, if it’s all a bit to soft for you, there’s even bungee jumping and abseiling for those more adventure-inclined. There’s also lots and lots of food, glorious food. No kids, no husband, just the girls.
Tickets are priced Dh100 (Standard, advance booking), Dh120 (Standard, at the door), Dh180 (VIP, advance booking) and Dh210 (VIP, at the door). Go to ladiesdayoutdubai.com.
What: 24-hour shopping
When: First and second day of Eid Al Adha
Where: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Festival City Mall, Oasis Centre, Arabian Centre and Lamcy Plaza
Make it your own Fashion Night Out this Eid, only better. The 24-hour shopping bonanza is back for two days at eight Dubai malls as part of the Eid in Dubai celebrations. There are great deals and lots of entertainment should you wish to head to the mall to try on that dress at 3 in the morning. You know you want to!
Also all other malls will be opened until 2am during the official Eid celebrations from October 10 to 19.
For more, go to eidindubai.ae.
What: Downtown Design
When: October 29 to November 1
Where: The Venue, Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
This one’s for all design enthusiasts. Although specifically targeted at interior designers, architects and real estate developers, the event is also open to the public from 5pm to 8pm on all exhibition days. Visitors get to see works from some of the world’s top design companies, attend live workshops and hang out with renowned designers including Giulio Cappellini, who has also designed many high-end fashion stores, iconoclastic artist and designer Ora Ito, French product designer Pauline Deltour and the Italian Architect duo Ludovica+Roberto Palomba.
Entry is free for trade visitors. For the general public, it’s Dh50 at the door. To register, go to downtowndesign.com
What: Fashion Forward
When: October 15 to 18
Where: Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah
After an impressive debut earlier this year, the second Fashion Forward (FFWD) is back. More than 20 designers, including established and emerging names based in the region, will showcase at the event. Highlights include talks and workshops by top international fashion names including Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) member and designer Nanette Lepore; Ben Malka, the chairman and CEO of iconic American label Halston, Philippe Von Borries, the co-founder of beauty and fashion website Refinery29 and Stefan Siegel, former model and founder of the website Not Just A Label (NJAL).
Heads of leading academic institutions, the London College of Fashion, Domus Academy Fashion School Milan and Parsons The New School for Design in New York, will also take part in panel discussions while celebrated Lebanese designer, Rabih Kayrouz, will return to host a panel along with his Starch Foundation designers, who will show their collections on the runway.
Entry to the catwalk shows is for trade and by prior registration only. A limited number of general admission tickets to the venue, including access to The Garden exhibition, Fashion Cafes and selected talks are available for Dh50 per person per day. For tickets, the full schedule and how to register, go to fashionforward.ae.
What: World of Fashion
When: October 3 to 14
Where: Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
This one started last week with a fashion show by Tommy Hilfiger on Thursday and by students of Esmod Dubai on Sunday. The 12-day event, in its third year now, will feature 20 shows from brands in the mall as well as hair, beauty and make-up workshops every day. On Tuesday, there was a live interview with legendary Italian designer Gianvito Rossi followed by an in-store event at Harvey Nichols where his limited edition pieces will be revealed. But the highlight of the event was on Wednesday, when Arab superstar Nancy Ajram attended the event for a private meet-and-greet followed by a live interview at the catwalk.
This is a free event. For more on World of Fashion and a full list of events, go to malloftheemirates.com.
