Arab Fashion Week

New York, London, Milan, Paris and now Dubai. The emirate has finally been officially added to the international fashion week calendar with the launch of Arab Fashion Week in 2015. Organised by the world’s largest non-profit fashion council, ARAB FASHION COUNCIL, the authority for the Arab countries members of the Arab League, the Arab Fashion Week (AFW) is the official fashion week in Dubai representing the 22 Arab countries.

The aim is for the Dubai Arab Fashion Week to root the Arab world firmly on the international fashion scene. It will give a platform from which talents from across the 22 Arab countries will be given a global platform. Despite what its name might suggest, Arab Fashion Week will present both prominent international and Arab designers, including Atelier Leon Leon, Roderigo Otazu, Abed Mahfouz, Selphie Bong,Laura Mancini, Adelina Rusu, Tony Ward, Sylvio Kovacic, Tiiya by Alanoud, Genny, Giada Curti, Ju Jordy Fu and Mireille dagher all showcasing their spring/summer 2016 collections.

The focus of this year’s event will be to promote art through fashion,and it is also focusing on climate change as well as the environment by encouraging eco-friendly creativity. At this year’s event, they will also have their carbon footprint calculated by an agency.The focus is also on regional designers and those Included in this year’s roster are Emirati designer Hamda Al Fahim, Qatar’s Alanoud Al Attiya and Saudi Arabia’s Turk Jadallah.

Daily seminars will also be held, with special guests speaking about the industry and revealing behind the scenes insights. Apart from the usual catwalks shows, the Arab Fashion Week, which is presented by Huawei, will look at how technology and fashion influence each other.

Sponsored by 'The National Council of Tourism and Antiquities' of the UAE and in association with Dubai Fashion TV of the International Fashion Network, Arab Fashion Week will host the exclusive Royal Arts installation Royal Signature – Where Art Meets Fashion charity gala in partnership with Art UAE Foundation. The Arab Fashion Week is a celebration of the premium excellence that features luxury brands from the entire world in an active ambient enriched with live shows and demonstrations of production.

The event is conducted twice a year in the beginning of October for Spring/Summer (SS) and in the mid of March for Autumn/Winter (AW). Entry to Arab Fashion Week is by invite only. However, collections by the designers will be available for viewing with prior registration. Go to arabfashionweek.org.