The second edition of the Arab Fashion Week will be held at the St Regis Hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai from March 16 to 19. The four-day event will see catwalk shows by designers, including two Emiratis, and seminars and talks by experts. It will conclude with an awards gala dinner and charity event in March 19 where 10 designers will be honoured with The Fashion Trophy.
The Arab Fashion Council, which claims to represent 22 Arab countries, organises the event and says its aim is to promote Arab fashion designers in the international fashion market. Mario Boselli, the former president of the Italian Fashion Chamber, is honorary president of the council.
“We are here to set up a proper infrastructure of fashion… from retail to commerce and to education,” said Jacob Abrian, the CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday.
Emirati designer Lamya Abedin, previously known for her abayas with her label Queen of Spades, will showcase her first full collection of Western wear at the Arab Fashion Week. She said she signed up because of the exposure.
“The people handling the event have a really good idea of the international market. I’ve always wanted to take my creations abroad and after eight years, I think this is the right platform for me to take it to the next step,” she said. “We are travelling soon to Milan to audition models and to meet people in the industry right in the middle of fashion week. All of this will be great experience for me.”
A specially-made glass dome will be constructed in the gardens of the St Regis Hotel where the event will be held, organisers said.
Entry to the event is by invite only. For more information, go to arabfashionweek.org
