The fourth edition of Arab Fashion Week is set to commence this week and runs from 16th May to the 20th May at the Meyden Hotel and Grandstand.
The bi-annual event is the first platform in the world to show Resort and Ready-Couture ranges at the same time with the aim to appeal to its affluent regional fashion audience.
The event is anticipating over 15,000 visitors over its 23 shows and more than 50 international and regional presentations. Designers due to participate are Marchesa, Michael Cinco, Antonio Marras and Ingie Paris. There will also be an exclusive selection of pop-up boutiques from regional fashion retailers. The week ends with the Arab Fashion Awards Royal Gala dinner, where the Arab Fashion Council honours and recognises the achievements of regional and international fashion pioneers.
As the Arab Fashion Council define and set regulations around this new concept of Ready-Couture, CEO Jacob Abrian has commented on his hopes for the upcoming event, saying ‘the fourth edition of Arab Fashion Week is a truly milestone moment for us as we set the international standards for Ready-Couture concept which will be archived and used for many years to come. This demonstrates our commitment not only to the regional fashion industry, and our mission to grow its ecosystem and monitor its regulations, but also our vision to position Arab Fashion Week on the international forefront.’
The mission of the Arab Fashion Council is not just to promote the Middle Eastern fashion industry globally by bringing international fashion designers to the region but also to identify, nurture and support local talent. As part of this season’s event, one of its official sponsors, Lavazza, has launched its first exclusive fashion design competition to allow young people across the region to express their creativity and showcase their work. The participants submitted their entries at the beginning of May, where seven lucky contestants were selected to take part in the upcoming competition during Arab Fashion Week. The final prize is a trip to Milan to develop their craft at a design course at Istituto Marangoni and showcase their final collection at the next edition of Arab Fashion Week in November.
To register for the event, visit www.arabfashionweek.org
