Fashion Forward Dubai returns in new style for 2019 October Edition as a ‘Shop Now’ fashion platform. Fashion Forward Dubai to reinforce its role as a catalyst for fashion innovation in the region by highlighting global brands with regional collections and amplifying collaborations between international brands and regional fashion talent. Supported by Dubai Design District (d3) and endorsed by Dubai Design and Fashion Council, Fashion Forward Dubai to feature four days of shows, presentations, activations, and events in celebration of fashion and retail in Dubai and the Middle East.
In its upcoming edition, set to take place on 30 October to 2 November 2019 at the Dubai Design District, Fashion Forward Dubai strategically evolves into a “shop-now” fashion platform, showcasing collections that will be available for purchase to a global audience of both buyers and consumers via a digital and physical presence made available at the event. While the platform will incorporate elements that are familiar to its past seasons, guest can also expect exciting developments in line with the maturing needs of the regional fashion industry combined with the changing nature of fashion weeks worldwide.
Things coming for fashionistas
- As change is sweeping the industry globally, Fashion Forward Dubai is back, adopting a new, more consumer-focused model that celebrates the many facets of fashion
- Social events, activations, and entertainment to animate the entire Design Quarter, including d3 retailers and F&B partners, during the four-day celebration of fashion.
- 21 runway shows and presentations and 20 accessory designers in The Garden will give both industry insiders and fashion enthusiasts an opportunity to discover the region’s top talent
- ‘Shop The Show’ allows viewers to directly purchase pieces they see on the runway
- Talks programming includes industry luminary, Laudomia Pucci, discussing heritage and innovation. Talks will also cover important trending issues like sustainability and beauty.
Since its launch in 2013, Fashion Forward Dubai has been a key platform for both emerging and established designers from the region, and in its next edition, it is considering applications from celebrated international designers that have interest in the region. The platform also aims to showcase global brands who have special collections that are exclusive to the Middle East.
“We’re delighted to welcome back Dubai’s leading fashion event, Fashion Forward to d3 this year. As a strategic partner and host venue for this season, d3 is again playing a critical part in the support of the region’s fashion industry through an event which this year will see even more designers participating and a greater number of our own business partners playing a central role in the programming. As d3 evolves, it is vital that such platforms also grow, and this edition will allow collections to be purchased at the event through the ‘shop now’ fashion platform”
said Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director, Dubai Design District.
“The opportunity to ‘buy it now’ is a key element of FFWD 2019, as we evolve one of the region’s most compelling fashion platforms,”
said Bong Guerrero, CEO and Co-Founder of Fashion Forward Dubai.
Designer registration for Fashion Forward’s next edition is now open with limited spaces available. To participate, designers can register at www.fashionforward.ae. Participation is subject to approval by a committee of fashion experts from the region’s industry. Designers are advised to register by the closing date, June 27, 2019.
Designers looking for further information regarding criteria can contact FFWD directly on info@fashionforward.ae or visit the FFWD website.
“After years of developing this platform, we always have our ears to the ground to understand what both the design community and fashion lovers want and need. This edition of Fashion Forward Dubai reflects the evolving realities of fashion and retail,” said Bong Guerrero, CEO and Co-Founder of Fashion Forward Dubai. “We will take a more 360-degree approach that touches the many facets of the fashion world, from the most luxurious haute couture fashion houses for which Dubai is so well known to the hottest emerging brands from our region, and even high street innovators. We are proud to be part of creating a compelling and sustainable fashion ecosystem for the region through innovation, technology, and collaboration.”
Regional and International Fashion Presentations
Anchoring the latest edition of Fashion Forward Dubai are 21 total regional and international fashion presentations, featuring 12 designers showing at Fashion Forward Dubai for the first time, and 9 returning to the Fashion Forward Dubai roster. Guests can discover some of the region’s rising stars in The Garden, a showroom for designers ranging from jewelry, handbag, ready-to-wear, and interiors pieces.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of d3, said: “Fashion Forward Dubai reinforces the credibility of d3 as a creative and design-focused hub and enables thousands of visitors to get to know the amazing work of the talented individuals based here. d3 has been a strategic partner of FFWD since its second season and through this synergy, we are pleased to further consolidate our commitment to supporting homegrown talent within the fashion industry. We look forward to seeing our local designers preview their new collections at FFWD 2019, as well as the collaboration of our business partners active in the food and beverage, entertainment, and retail sectors.”
A key aspect of the event will be the d3 Fashion Talks, which bring together leaders from across the global fashion and beauty business to discuss issues and ideas that push the industry forward. This season Fashion Forward Dubai will host well known personalities including Laudomia Pucci, Deputy Chairman, Image Director, and daughter of Pucci founder Emilio Pucci; beauty icon and entrepreneur Joelle Mardinian; sustainability champion Shahd Al Shehail; a masterclass on digital storytelling; Launchmetrics data-driven conversation on measuring influencer ROI as well as Grazia Academy short courses on careers in fashion.
Programming at Fashion Forward Dubai will also be highlighted by strong and relevant brand collaborations, most notably with free fashion design school Creative Space Beirut, the regionally renowned showroom Maison Pyramide, and one of the most recognized, and highly regarded, fashion support platforms in the world, Mercedes-Benz.
“Mercedes-Benz has a long heritage in supporting fashion events and iconic movements, around the world. Our support at this year’s Fashion Forward Dubai, is no exception. As the leading fashion platform in the Middle East, we are excited to be the sole automotive sponsor and bring to life our ‘How To’ campaign, in the region. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our architecturally impressive installation, to learn more about our mobility offering.” said Ali Kherallah, Marketing Communications Manager, Mercedes-Benz.
