FFWD Season 8: Designer line-up revealed

Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) has unveiled the line-up for the eight season of the bi-yearly event, to be held from October 20 to 23 at the Dubai Design District (d3).

A total of 31 labels, including five first-timers, will present their spring-summer couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections through catwalk shows and presentations at the Dubai Design and Fashion Council-endorsed event.

While the event is targeted at people within the fashion industry, limited passes for shows will be made available to the public. But pre-registration is required at fashionforward.ae.

Here is the full list of designers:

Amato by Furne One

Known for his ability to craft extravagant and artistic designs, Dubai-based Furne One has rapidly worked his way up the fashion ladder, and is celebrated both regionally and internationally for his impressive couture creations. From bridal wear to pret-a-porter, Amato collections are all about celebrating expressive, opinionated and quirky women.

Amira Haroon

Of Pakistani origins but having grown up in the Middle East, Haroon launched her brand in 2010. She designs for a woman who has a Middle Eastern soul with a trans-regional outlook and attitude.

Arwa Al Banawi

Saudi designer Arwa Al Banawi creates smart casual pieces for women and men. Having made her FFWD debut at season six, Al Banawi returns to FFWD this October showing her definition of the suit with prints and bold colours.

Bedouin

Designed and developed by Central Saint Martins’ graduate Andraya Farrag, Bedouin is a contemporary womenswear label that creates easy-to-wear collections. Sleek designs with a combination of relaxed silhouettes and feminine materials; simplicity is key for this label.

Bouguessa

Faiza Bouguessa is a French-Algerian born fashion designer and is the founder of Dubai-based label, Bouguessa. Taking inspiration from art, architecture and global culture Bougessa merges modern and modest fashion.

By Amal Al Raisi

Making her FFWD debut, Amal Al Raisi presents a ready-to-wear collection with a touch of couture. Al Raisi began designing traditional Omani dresses before entering into creating modern abayas and jalabiyas.

Dima Ayad

Dubai-based label by Lebanese designer Ayad, returns to the FFWD runways this October with ‘fashion that makes you feel good’, featuring dresses with a ‘wear-and-go’ philosophy that accentuate and celebrate all bodies, no matter what shape or size.

Ezra

A formidable influence in the region, Ezra creates modern and classic sensibility with a twist. Drawing attention to the female silhouette with a fusion of minimalism and opulence, his approach to essential lines and shapes lies in cutting and tailoring with refined embroideries and embellishments.

Hashe

UAE-raised Iranian designer Ava is inspired by the Middle Eastern culture, architecture and art. Each of her handmade clutches come with its own unique geometric shape and design with stones, studs and vintage brooches, while her ready-to-wear line merges old-world elegance with modernity.

House of Nomad

Having made their FFWD debut at season five, House of Nomad returns to the runways this October. Based in Dubai and co-founded by Ahmad Al Sayed and Saleh Al Banna, the label has a cult following of its sports-luxe aesthetic and is set to deliver a new vision.

Hussain Bazaza

Lebanese designer Hussain Bazaza first showed at FFWD season one as part of the Starch Foundation, and in April 2015 he showed his first solo collection at season five. The brand is based on a merge of classic and modern fashion; feminine but edgy. Bazaza’s ready-to-wear line is a combination of wearable pieces and couture details with lace collage and, geometric cuts, story-telling prints and intricate details.

HZ by Hissa Zainal

The young brand out of Doha presents ready-to-wear that marries the avant-garde with simplicity. Created by Qatari designer Hissa Zainal, the label has received much acclaim and will be making its FFWD debut this October.

Kage

Dubai-based label Kage designed by Basma Abu Ghazaleh launched in 2009 and offers ready-to wear womenswear. Each collection comes with a modern feel that espouses freedom.

Kristina Fidelskaya

As an entrepreneur, a mother and a trendsetter, this Dubai-based designer’s collections symbolise the power and independence of the modern woman, mixing vintage styles with different cultures.

Lama Jouni

Launched in 2013, the eponymous label of the Paris-based Lebanese designer produces ready-to-wear that’s targeted at independent and passionate women.

Madiyah Al Sharqi

Returning for her fifth season at FFWD, Emirati designer Madiyah Al Sharqi offers eveningwear with a contemporary edge and opulent designs. This shaikha’s collections play with contrast of textiles and comes with an appreciation for needlework and fabrics.

Michael Cinco

Having wowed audiences for three seasons at FFWD with his couture creations, Cinco returns to FFWD season eight. The Dubai-based designer, who has amassed an army of international celebrity clientele, is best known for his gowns, demonstrating creativity and technique, and the intricacy of his designs with fresh, elegant and detailed fabric and Swarovski crystals.

Mira Hayek

After interning at the ateliers of Elie Saab in Beirut and Erdem in London, Beirut-based designer Mira Hayek was selected by the Starch Foundation in Beirut to launch her first ready-to-wear collection in 2011. The brand is about contemporary pieces with a fun and sporty edge that can be worn day and night.

Mrs Keepa

Egyptian-French designer Mariam Yehia takes inspiration from her Middle Eastern roots playing on patterns, fabric and colours merging with European sensibility. The label features feminine and vintage inspired pieces. This is Mrs Keepa’s first showing at FFWD.

Orkalia

The ready-to-wear brand based in Dubai presents elegance with a modern twist designed by American-born designer Orchid Ganji. Orkalia’s aesthetic combines traditional techniques with contemporary applications, and prides itself with being at the forefront of neo-couture.

Said Mahrouh

Moroccan-born Said Mahrouf studied fashion design both in Holland and New York. He presented his first pret-a-porter collection in 1999 to international acclaim; and in 2000, he started his own performance company in Amsterdam. Mahrouf’s love of costume design, artistry and partiality to feminine elegance defines his collections. Mahrouf will show for the fifth time at FFWD this October.

Salta

Showing for a second season at FFWD, Kazakhstani designer Saltanat Baimukhamedova founded her label Salta in 2008. In 2016 the label relocated to Dubai, UAE, furthering her aim to become a Middle Eastern designer with global vision. The label offers freedom and comfort with a touch of modern ethnic creativity.

Sotra

Jeddah-based label Sotra makes its return to FFWD for a second season. Designed by Saudi designer Nouf Hakeem, in collaboration with her partner Mariam bint Mahfooz, the brand creates collections that focus on juxtaposing modern cuts with playful feminine details.

Starch Foundation

Under the mentorship of Rabih Kayrouz, the Starch Foundation has presented their chosen designers at each edition of FFWD to great acclaim. The three designers this season are: Salim Azzam, a Lebanese illustrator and designer who works with local craftswomen who embroider his designs and illustrations onto shirts and dresses; Perverse Concept by Lebanese designer Lobnan Mahfouz, a unisex and conceptual brand that provides distinctive pieces inspired by the melting pot of genders and ethnic backgrounds; and Starch alumni Timi Hayek who returns to FFWD this season with her ready-to-wear line. In 2010 she won the Liberty Art Fabrics Award where her winning print design was sold at the renowned British department store Liberty & Co.

Tair

This label was created in 2013 in Dubai by Aliya Tair whose inspiration is in far eastern aesthetics. The brand explores the relationship between the masculine and the feminine and has led the designer to experiment with classic menswear textiles. Tair will show her menswear line for the first time at FFWD this October.

Varoin Marwah

Dubai-based fashion designer of Indian origin will present his signature style of imperial-inspired menswear for the first time this season. Marwah draws upon his Indian roots to create clean lines, contemporary silhouettes and attention to detail.

Zaid Farouki

Jordanian, Dubai-based designer Zaid Farouki’s fashion house attempts to blur the lines between fashion and art with its detailed womenswear collections. Each piece is handmade and abides by couture techniques, embroidery, and finishing. What’s more: all prints are hand painted onto the fabric by Farouki himself; transforming the wearer into a walking piece of art.

Zareena

Having previously showcased her couture collections at FFWD, Zareena returns with timeless, one-of-a-kind pieces. Known for her use of luxurious fabrics and rich embroidery, Zareena has established her trademark needlework and exquisite adornments.

Zena Presley

Syrian-born, Dubai-based designer Zena’s affection for the acceptance of diversity within culture is paramount throughout her ready-to-wear womenswear collection. She has established her signature style by collaborating with international artists who commission patterns and prints.