Dubai Design District (d3), a member of Tecom Group, and the Arab Fashion Council (AFC) have launched the official Dubai Fashion Week, set to run from March 10 to 15.

Dubai Fashion Week will be the definitive fashion fixture emerging from the region, featuring Men’s, Women’s, ready-to-wear, and couture collections. It underscores Tecom Group’s commitment to cementing Dubai as a global creative capital and builds on Dubai’s status as a global hub for business growth and investment.

With shows planned in line with the global fashion calendar, Dubai Fashion Week will provide an international platform for emerging and established designers to grow their brands. Not only will regional designers get to meet and do business with international buyers and distributors, but it will also serve as a gateway for international talent and brands to continue expanding their global footprint through the regional market.

Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of Tecom Group, said: “Where there was Paris, Milan, London and New York, there is now Dubai. From economic activity to tourism and creativity, Dubai has carved its own space among the world’s cosmopolitan capitals, and fashion is one industry boosting its status.

“All eyes are on the Middle East for fashion and creativity, and now the sky is the limit. Dubai has the vision, ambition and innovation to elevate the impact and reach of creatives globally. Our evolving partnership with the Arab Fashion Council will strengthen our networks with international and regional partners and boost the industry’s contribution to the creative economy.”

Jacob Abrian, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, said: "Dubai has arrived on the global fashion stage. Emerging and established creatives have shaped a distinct identity for the region that resonates far and wide. Our region's fashion industry is entering a new chapter as we become increasingly active contributors to the global fashion narrative.

“Arab Fashion Council is proud to amplify this voice and partner with d3 and Tecom Group to launch Dubai Fashion Week, the official industry platform. Presenting Dubai as a global creative hub, Dubai Fashion Week will boost fashion exports and attract world-class investment.”

Expanding Dubai’s creative impact
Dubai Fashion Week aims to strengthen the city’s influence on the global creative stage under its D.U.B.A.I. pillars: Diversity; Unity; Business; Ambition; and Innovation, and further enable the development of the fashion industry value chain.

Leading up to Dubai Fashion Week, the official calendar will enable brands, designers and industry players to activate their own program of runway shows, presentations, exhibitions, pop-ups, special celebrations, and workshops in d3 and across Dubai. More details about the inaugural edition will be revealed closer to the date.

Dubai Fashion Week builds upon the many milestones of Arab Fashion Week, which, over seven years and 21 editions, include:

•    Presenting hundreds of different creative designers from over 50 countries
•    Attracting industry icons from around the globe and more than 250,000 fashion enthusiasts and international fashion media since its inception
•    Working with an array of prestigious international partners, including the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (French body that coordinates Paris Fashion Week), to deliver new opportunities to exchange talent on both calendars
•    Launching the first menswear fashion week in Asia, Middle East, and Africa
•    Launching the diversity program and appointing the region’s first curvy model on the runway. – TradeArabia News Service