Fashion Forward Dubai expands

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Oct 19, 2016

Following the success of its first seven editions, Dubai Fashion Forward (FFWD) is kicking into high gear with an extra day. Its eighth edition showcasing spring / summer 2017 collections will be held at the Dubai Hai d3 Design District on four days, from October 20 to 23, adding another day to its traditional three-day format.

The event dedicated to fashion and accessories from the Middle East is a hybrid of Fashion Week and trade show, with collection presentations and catwalks, but also conferences.

The event is a public/private-sector initiative, supported by the Council of Fashion Design and Dubai Design. In four years, it has become the must-attend event for the region’s fashion industry. FFWD has enjoyed such success that it has inspired other competitor events to try their luck, such as the Arab Fashion Week, created last year.

The FFWD program offers 31 ready-to-wear brands including Amato, one of the best known labels in the region, and 14 accessories and jewelry designers from the Middle East, many of which will make their debut at this Fashion Forward Dubai.

The event especially promotes the region’s new talents, and is working this season for the first time with an Indian partner, 6Degree, which will bring three designers from India to Dubai.

As for the two previous editions, FFWD turned to Muriel Piaser, global fashion developer consultant, to develop the show's international appeal. The French fashion expert has been able to attract international buyers.

She also promoted and co-produced the first FFWD showroom in Paris, which presented the spring-summer 2017 collections of 12 designers from the Middle East this past 30 September to 5 October.