Season Two Brings Renowned Guests From Leading Global Institutions to the Must-Visit Fashionable Eid Event
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 23 September – Fashion Forward (FFWD) furthers its commitment to fostering discussion and nurturing the region’s fashion industry by offering a formidable line up of international experts in this season’s d3 Fashion Talks. With the support of d3 (Dubai Design District), FFWD welcomes industry leaders in design, education, e-commerce, buying, manufacturing and media to Season Two. The d3 Fashion Talks will offer advice and generate debate through a series of carefully curated presentations and panel discussions.
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“Instigating discussions and learning are integral parts of our vision for FFWD,” said Bong Guerrero, Founder and CEO of Fashion Forward. “With the recent governmental announcements regarding d3 and Fashion 2020, we have seen a surge in interest in the Middle East as a sustainable fashion hub. The d3 Fashion Talks this season offers the highest calibre experts from vital areas of the industry, whose advice will enhance the development of the region’s fashion industry going forward.”
Dr Amina Al Rustamani, Group CEO of TECOM Investments, the developers of Dubai Design District commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Fashion Forward to form the d3 Fashion Talks. This collaboration is part of our unwavering commitment to the successful development of the design and fashion industry in Dubai. Initiatives like this allow us to act as a bridge for knowledge sharing between industry experts, up and coming talent, and all those willing to learn in order to unlock the industry’s full potential.
The d3 Fashion Talks will run alongside the catwalk presentations throughout the four day event during Eid Al Adha, this October 15-18, giving exclusive insight into the workings of the global fashion industry, and how one can use this information to grow in the Middle East.
INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS AND BRANDS
In addition to the diverse programme of talented regional designers showing their collections this season, FFWD welcomes celebrated international designers, to offer their experience and insight to guest and emerging designers alike.
CFDA member and renowned designer Nanette Lepore will talk on “Crafting High Fashion: What it Takes to Manufacture Locally”. Known for her bold colours, evocative prints and signature silhouettes, Nanette Lepore has become one of the leading names in contemporary American fashion.
Fresh from London Fashion Week, following a hugely successful collaboration with Matthew Williamson, international jewellery brand Azza Fahmy join us at FFWD Season Two.
The Managing Director, Fatma Ghaly, will give a talk on “Going Global: Expanding your brand to new markets while preserving your identity.”
FFWD mentor and celebrated Lebanese designer, Rabih Kayrouz returns for Season Two, bringing with him not only his three Starch Foundation designers, who will show their collections on the runway, but will also mentor three additional designers throughout their FFWD experience, as well as hosting an industry panel.
Making his first ever visit to the region is the Chairman and CEO of iconic American label HALSTON, Ben Malka. He will be joined by fashion blogger and designer Ascia_AKF in a discussion on “Into the Modern Zone – How Heritage and The New Generation Drive Innovation”. The discussion will draw from Ben Malka’s wealth of expertise as a fashion industry veteran, and Ascia’s knowledge on the importance of digital marketing in the modern day. His visit to the region comes just weeks after the label launched its first ever HALSTON HERITAGE store in the Middle East in The Avenues in Kuwait, through the brand’s partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion. The discussion will be moderated by Asil Attar, CEO, Lead Associates. Malka will also bring with him to FFWD, a number of vintage HALSTON gowns, which he will unveil at an exclusive High Tea during the event.
BRAND BUILDING
Giving regional designers international commercial exposure is a key aim of FFWD and to encourage this, leading names in e-commerce, brand building and technology will be present for Season Two.
Former model and Not Just A Label (NJAL) founder Stefan Siegel will share his experiences on launching the site in a discussion on Creative Entrepreneurship. The online resource tool launched in 2008 and since then has kick-started the careers of many an unknown fashion talent by allowing up-and-coming designers to showcase their work through its dedicated portal and online shop. NJAL today maintains a database of over 6,000 emerging fashion designers from 88 countries.
Photographer Jonathan Bookallil has worked as a fashion and celebrity photographer in New York, London, Paris, Milan and Australia as well having been Elizabeth Hurley’s official photographer. He will talk at FFWD on “The Role of a Photographer as an Effective Visual Communication Tool to Build a Brand”.
MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY
Further to the incredible support given to FFWD designers from regional press, the quality of design talent in Season One also attracted great interest from international media. So much so that for Season Two, some of the most respected and relevant publications will travel to the region to give their support and expertise.
Photographer Kevin Tachman, who has covered fashion weeks the world over, brings to Dubai his expert eye and lens, capturing the catwalks of FFWD for Vogue.com.
Refinery29’s co-founder Philippe Von Borries will discuss ‘How to Build an Audience’ from his experience in launching the hugely popular fashion portal, and how since 2005, the site has grown to draw one billion page views per year.
The role of technology in the fashion industry will be discussed in a panel discussion hosted by d3. Danish Farhan, CEO and Founder of Xische Holdings, will discuss “Technology Disrupting Fashion”, debating how technological advances, social media engagement, crowd funding and online retailing is changing the fashion industry on a global level.
ACADEMIC PARTNERS
Leading academic institutions London College of Fashion and Domus Academy Fashion School build on their support from Season One, and are this season joined by Parsons The New School for Design, offering the expertise of their esteemed members and influential contacts.
Dean of Fashion from Parsons, Simon Collins, has worked with some of the world’s leading brands: Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Fila, Zegna, and Marks & Spencer. As creative director for Nike’s Asia Pacific division, he led a $900USD million apparel business that launched collections he created in collaboration with Junya Watanabe of Comme des Garcons, Naoki Takizawa of Issey Miyake, and others. At FFWD he will draw on this experience to talk on “Design Thinking: Creating Beautiful Solutions”.
London College of Fashion lecturer and experienced fashion journalist Paul Tierney will give two talks: ‘How to Make it as a Fashion Journalist’ and “The Rise of the Fashion Blogger: Digital vs Print”.
Head of Domus Academy Fashion School Milan, Barbara Trebitsch returns for Season Two and will give a presentation to guests on “Fashion Matrix – a Contemporary Approach to Fashion Design’.
Domus Academy will also bring with them Editor in Chief of Marie Claire Italia, Antonio Mancinelli. He will present “Made in Italy and global style setter”, covering the story of iconic Italian brands and the secrets to their international success.
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Fashion Forward Season Two, taking place from 15th-18th October, will welcome over 20 designers from across the region, showing couture pieces as well as ready-to-wear.
Among the new design talents showing at Fashion Forward Season Two:
Aziz Humaid – The young Saudi designer uses minimalistic and monochromatic design with strong silhouettes and asymmetrical lines. The womenswear label aims to fight against the decadently superficial, and revolutionise fashion in the Kingdom.
Charbel Zoe – Lebanese couture designer, Charbel Zoe,was honored to be the winner of “International fashion designer of the year 2013 ” at Miami Fashion week. He creates intricately embellished evening gowns, and his designs are worn by a host of prominent Middle Eastern celebrities.
www.charbelzoe.com
Endemage – Omani sisters, Nadia and Lubna created Endemage, meaning “the merging of two” in 2010.The brand incorporates ultra-feminine dresses, billowy evening gowns and Arabic-infused styles, drawing inspiration from traditional Omani designs. www.endemage.com
GISELLAblu– British/Australian Sacha Plumbridge and British born Nana Agyeman form Dubai based label GISELLAblu – creating unique embellished evening dresses made from Italian silk and punctuated with sequins and crystals.
www.gisellablu.com
Hema Kaul – A graduate of National Institute of Fashion Technology in India. Her design is inspired by all things vintage, recreating the magic of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Every design focuses on flattering a woman’s body and thoughtful design clothing that every body type can wear. http://hemakaul.com/about/
House of Fatam – The House of Fatam or HOF was created by three Emirati sisters based between Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Lamya, Shaima and Fatma Gargash. The brand shows colourful and modern takes on classic Arab garments. www.houseoffatam.com
Madiyah Al Sharqi – Sheikha Madiyah Al Sharqi is the daughter of the Ruler of Fujairah, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. Al Sharqi offers effortless eveningwear with an updated edge, evolving the traditional vision of elegance. www.madiyahalsharqi.com
Reem Al Kanhal– The young Saudi designer creates distinctive ready to wear pieces with an eclectic and androgynous feel. Reem’s passion for fashion is clear through her unique designs, characterised by her developed prints and row cuts. www.rk-designs.com/en/
TALLER MARMO– Dubai based womenswear brand founded in 2013 by designers Riccardo Audisio and Yago Goicoechea. Named after “Taller” the Spanish word for manual work, the laboratory, the artisan, the authenticity of the handcraft and “Marmo” is the Italian word for marble, fine material and Italian excellence that metaphorically refers to luxury, exoticism, decadence and tradition.
http://www.tallermarmo.com/
Complementing these new shows, and building on their phenomenal success from Season One are these 13 celebrated designers, with more to be announced in the coming weeks:
Amato – Since 2002, Dubai-based Furne One has been creating innovative pieces of couture, loved by his international clientele and celebrities alike. In keeping with couture traditions, Amato textures its own fabrics, fashioning lavish materials adorned with rare embellishment techniques. www.amatohautecouture.com
Amira Haroon – Of Pakistani origin, but raised in the Middle East, Amira set up her label in 2009, her pieces employ luxe fabrics, laces and detailed hand- embellishments utilising fine and age-old craftsmanship from the region. The result is a part vintage and part luxe-bohemian silhouette. www.amiraharoon.com
Dima Ayad – Dima Ayad launched her unique brand of eveningwear in 2010.The Lebanese designer strives to provide women with ‘fashion that makes you feel good’ – stylish, sophisticated and stunning dresses with a ‘wear-and-go’ philosophy that accentuate and celebrate their bodies, no matter what shape or size.www.dimaayad.com
Dina Jsr – Lebanese by origin, Dina Jsr was raised in Saudi Arabia. Her designs include cocktail and evening dresses celebrating grace and style and Dina Jsr’s collections tend to be inspired by fine lines and geometric architecture. www.dinajsr.com
The Emperor 1688– Offering stand-out luxury and bespoke menswear, The Emperor 1688 is the concept of three Iranian brothers who set up the label in 2007. Their collections combine exquisite tailoring, with regal prints and classic cuts made of the finest European fabrics. www.theemperor1688.com
Essa– Of Indian origin, but of Arab sensibilities, Essa’s designs consistently try to weave together the traditional and the modern by relying on materials and prints that have iconic cuts and are universally flattering, creating extraordinary, colourful and contemporary ready to wear pieces.
Ezra– For over a decade, Dubai-based, Filipino designer Ezra has been producing exquisitely- made, extravagant couture, establishing his brand as synonymous to elegance and beauty. www.ezrafashiondesign.com
Kage – Childhood friends Arwa Abdelhadi and Basma Abu Ghazaleh created their label in 2009, offering playful and chic contemporary womenswear. Kage mixes Lace, velvet, furs, luxurious tweeds and metallic embellishments in their fun, stylish ready to wear pieces. www.bykage.com
Starch– Three Lebanese designers Hussein Bazaza, Bashar Assaf, and Lara Khoury present their collections under Rabih Kayrouz’s mentorship.
Before studying fashion design in Esmod, Hussein Bazaza experimented in many artistic fields including illustration, photography and artistic direction.
Bashar Assaf is a Lebanese fashion designer currently based in Beirut. The signature behind his label is its ability to challenge the female body with brave geometry complimented with sensibility to material and craftsmanship.
Lara Khoury, launched her label, Lara, in 2010. She makes her Fashion Forward debut this October.
http://www.starchfoundation.org/
Tahir Sultan – Tahir Sultan is half Kuwaiti and half Indian. He learnt his trade whilst interning for the likes of John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, and subsequently launched his eponymous label. His luxurious womenswear designs are stocked in Dubai, India, the UK and worldwide. http://www.tahirsultan.com/
Toujouri– Doha-based designer Lama El-Moatassem launched Toujouri in 2009. Each collection translates effortlessly for any glamorous occasion whether evening, cocktail or red carpet. Draping and structure are signature designs for Toujouri evening wear, and contrast the billowing fun of kaftans. www.toujouri.com
Zayan The Label– Lebanese designer Zayan Ghandour’s girly, contemporary and luxury ready-to-wear designs use premium silks and crochet knit fabrics, in vivid colours and innovative billowing silhouettes. www.zayan.com
In addition to the catwalk presentations, guests at Fashion Forward Season Two will be treated to The Garden – a carefully curated selection of over 40 accessory designers who will display an eclectic mix of bags, accessories, home ware and jewellery which will all be available for purchase. The Fashion Forward team hand-picked these designers from across Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi, the UAE and with some even making the journey from the United States.
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About Fashion Forward (FFWD)
Fashion Forward (FFWD) is the definitive fashion platform for Dubai and the Middle East — a fashion movement which provides a platform and a progressive direction for fashion. Key components of FFWD include catwalk presentations by established and emerging designers in the Middle East and d3 Fashion Talks, to foster industry discussion.
www.fashionforward.ae
About Dubai Design District
Dubai Design District, better known as D3, is dedicated to fostering the growth of the Emirate’s design, fashion and luxury industry. It offers businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals a creative community that will be at the very heart of the region’s design scene.
D3 is the newest of TECOM Investments’ free zone business parks – with 10 buildings currently under construction. Once complete, D3 will be a purpose built environment catering to the full value chain of the design, fashion and luxury industry – and all with the vision of creating a world class creative community that engages, nurtures and promotes local, regional and global design talent.
