Dubai on the fashion map

The first Dubai International Fashion Week (DIFW) got off to an impressive start on Monday with eight fashion shows in the Royal Ballroom at the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel.

The shows reflected the multicultural ethos of Dubai with designers of many nationalities showcasing their latest collections ranging from jellabiyas and saris to jackets and evening gowns.

The shows featured Dubai-based emerging talents as well as well known names from the region and the subcontinent such as Walid Atallah, Suneet Varma and Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. Dubai's fashionistas dressed in their stylish best made sure that the shows were well attended and several local buyers were also seen in the front rows.

Dream realised

DIFW has been organised by Concept Events and supported by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was conceived by well known Indian model and choreographer Marc Robinson.

"I have been coming to Dubai as a model and choreographer for the last 15 years and I have always felt that Dubai should have a fashion event for trade and media that will put the city on the international fashion map. Thanks to the support of Concept Events we have been able to realise this dream.

I have used my long experience with India Fashion week and Milan Fashion Week to put together this event and we are happy to have attracted so many good designers in our first year. I hope the event will grow bigger and better in the future and attract buyers from abroad," said Robinson, DIFW event director.

Advisory Board

Members of the DIFW advisory board include Ingie Chalhoub, CEO and managing director, Etoile Group, Zayan Ghandour, co-owner S*uce boutique, Shireen El Khatib, general manager, Fashion and Jewellery Division, Al Tayer Group, Walid Atallah, international fashion designer, Souha Abbas, group editor, L'Officiel Middle East, Tamara Hostal, associate director PR and Marketing, French Fashion University Esmod and James Veenhoff, Amsterdam International Fashion Week organiser.

The event, which includes ramp shows in the ballroom and a trade exhibition set up in the Arabian Courtyard of the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel, ends today.