Highlights from Dubai Fashion Week’s Debut - In pictures
The Dubai Fashion Week formerly known as Arab Fashion Week was the prime event on the region’s fashion calendar. It earned the distinct position of being the fifth most significant global event in the fashion industry. Hosted in partnership with Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, Dubai celebrated its fashion festivities from the 10th to the 15th of March 2023 to showcase true craftsmanship and creativity.
The schedule began with New York, London, Milan, and Paris and concluded with Dubai. It was the ultimate hub for designers, luxury brands, editors and guests to mingle and discuss the happenings in the industry.
A celebration of uniquely designed menswear, womenswear, couture and ready-to-wear by some of the most influential designers such as Dima Ayad, Mrs Keepa, Micheal Cinco, Amato, Sabrina Mouhieddine and others.
Here’s a list of key highlights from the Dubai Fashion Week:
LATEFORWORK Collection
If you want to witness the reality of our daily lives in terms of fashion, the Lateforwork collection stands out. The carefully curated collection highlighted daily life at the workplace. The attendees witnessed a new vision of formal wear that featured disproportional cuts and incisions with a dash of minimal colours and a thick velvety fabric. Moroccan Designer, Yousseff Drissi redefined the rulebook in Arab fashion when he added a refreshingly contemporary approach to work wear. With a unique blend of sleek and modern designs and minimalist silhouettes, Drissi made his collection both professional and fashion-forward. Keeping “sustainability” as its core value, the brand used organic cotton and recycled materials in its clothing.
Lili Blanc
The UAE-born designer, Sabrina Mouhieddine of Lili Blanc’s collection was an absolute inspiration. Named “Reflection”, the spring summer 2023 ready-to-wear show featured women in blazers, top hats capes, evening dresses alongside skirts, and flared and fitted trousers who are wandering through nature. A unique depiction of a journey toward self-awareness and empowerment.
Jacob Abrian, CEO and Founder of the Arab Fashion Council said that AFC will continue to host exclusive showrooms and presentations on the official Paris Fashion Week Calendar that will help connect the promising Arab designers’ talent with international buyers and Media.
Slimi Studio
Slimi Studio’s collection provided a range of multiple personas despite using only three dominant colours. An unapologetically fierce collection that featured oversized puffer jackets and pants with hanging pockets and cut-out black dresses. The collection highlighted couture heritage with eye-catching feather detailing and green and pink hues.
Michael Cinco
Michael Cinco’s latest collection was a work of art despite having only black and grey hues as its colour palette. Inspired by the sophisticated architecture of the Duomo di Milano - an iconic cathedral renowned for its transcendent gothic architecture, the collection featured timeless jackets, delicate designs and unique embroidery reminiscing the gothic regalia. Cinco wanted to pay tribute to this timeless masterpiece of architecture and help ensure its legacy for generations to come. Cinco remains on top of his game with his eye-catching creations.
Cinco, in a Vogue interview, explained that the collection was carefully curated for women who are modern and feminine yet bold and royal. These women are usually not afraid to make a statement and stand out from the crowd
He also added that his next growth strategy is to introduce a pret-e-porter collection that includes women from all backgrounds and expand to fragrances and jewellery.
