Timi Hayek
Lebanese Canadian Timi Hayek’s self-titled women’s ready-to-wear label, based in Beirut, started in 2014.
Philosophy: “Finding beauty in creativity.”
Why FFWD? “I love the fact that there is something like this happening in the Middle East! It’s such an exciting opportunity to reach and connect with a wider audience.”
Look out for: “Flowy pleats, stripes and hand-drawn printed silks and jerseys in monochrome, ivory and navy blue colours.”
Website: timihayek.com / timihayek.blogspot.com / timihayek.tumblr.com
Zareena
Emirati designer Zareena Yousif’s Dubai-based label, Zareena, has been making women’s couture and ready-to-wear since 2005.
Philosophy: “Quality and creativity.”
Why FFWD? “It has become a regional event for fashion, the best platform for brand exposure.”
Look out for: “An amazing display of ‘organised randomness’, through abstract designs and formations, showing nature’s ability to create works of art out of randomness.”
Website: www.zareen.co
Velsvoir
Talha and Zak Timol’s London and Dubai-based menswear brand started in 2012.
Philosophy: “Our ethos is based on a classic European aesthetic, adapted for the modern Dubai man-about-town. Reflecting the changing landscape of the UAE, we aim to draw upon a traditional tailoring heritage mixed with a rakish flair.”
Why FFWD? “With the support of Dubai Design District, FFWD serves as a foundation for exposure, industry insights and challenging regional designers. Having shown at London Collections: Men (LC:M) and London Fashion Week previously, we continue our journey, which started with a tweet and brings us to FFWD.”
Look out for: “Our exclusive Dubai collaboration with Patrick Hellmann.”
Website: www.velsvoir.com
Said Mahrouf
Moroccan/Dutch designer Said Mahrouf works out of Casablanca and Amsterdam on his women’s ready-to-wear pieces, established in 2009.
Philosophy: “We create timeless designs that are minimalist and yet extremely feminine.”
Why FFWD? “I was immediately drawn by the event through the programming where I saw a focus on the creativity of regional Arabic designers. It is exceptional to have a platform that promotes such designers on such a high level where creativity and business meet.”
Look out for: “A collection that consists of 20 shades of grey in rich material and minimalist cuts.”
Website: www.saidmahrouf.com
House of Ronald
Established: 2007
Based in: Beirut – Lebanon, & London - UK
British-Lebanese designer Ronald Abdala’s high-end ready-to-wear label for women started in 2007, with a base in Beirut and London.
Philosophy: “Dare to uncover beauty in the most unexpected of places.”
Why FFWD? “It’s the best platform to showcase emerging designers, and a great initiative to promote and cultivate a fashion centre in the region.”
Look out for: “Look out for an army of women adorned in sexy silhouettes and abstract prints of bullets.”
Website: www.houseofronald.com
Asudari
Saudi designer Lamia Al Sudairi is based in London, producing high end women’s ready-to-wear since 2007.
Philosophy: “The development and execution of intricate and emotionally driven hand-crafted prints, whilst constantly experimenting with a variety of fabrics against conflicting and bold silhouettes.”
Why FFWD? “FFWD is a great platform for fashion in the Middle East. It brings like-minded creatives together and aids the seed of creativity to grow in the region.”
Look out for: “A collection that features elements of masculine tailoring with sporty, feminine silhouettes, sharp suiting, geometric digital prints and Asudari’s signature emblem, the formation of four interfacing A’s all in a Delftware ceramic palette.”
Website: asudari.com