Dubai Design District (d3) and Arab Fashion Council announce launch of the official Dubai Fashion Week

Dubai, UAE, 8 February 2023: In a significant move to cement Dubai as a global fashion capital, Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council (AFC) has launched the official Dubai Fashion Week. The first show of the new fashion calendar will take place from 10-15 March.

The event evolves from the successful legacy of Arab Fashion Week, which in October 2022 saw its 21^st edition. 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.

The announcement was made last night at an exclusive event at Dubai Design District (d3) in the presence of Abdulla Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of TECOM Group, Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism,  Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President – Commercial, TECOM Group, Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), Jacob Abrian, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, among other dignitaries, including government officials and high-profile fashion and culture media.

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.”

Serge Carreira, Head Emerging Brands Initiative, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode added: “Over the last years, Dubai became one of the most dynamic places for arts and creative industries. The Arab Fashion Council and Dubai Design District have been successfully promoting and supporting talents from all the regions focusing on creativity, values and excellence. Fashion is a cultural expression fuelled by tradition but also by the zeitgeist.  I strongly believe that Dubai has now the capacity to become a global fashion hub addressing today's questions of sustainability, technology and diversity.”

Expanding Dubai’s creative impact

Dubai maintains an indisputable reputation as the region’s fashion capital. Alongside successful events like Arab Fashion Week, the city’s prolific retail landscape has contributed to its status as a luxury shopping hub. Dubai’s business-friendly framework and strategic location attract major fashion houses such as Dior, Prada and Valentino, which are based in d3 alongside regional labels. Platforms such as TECOM Group’s in5 Design are further enabling homegrown creative entrepreneurship to reduce the barriers to entry for new talent.  

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. d3 provides an established platform to launch the programme as a global creative ecosystem where leading fashion, design and art brands from around the world converge.

Leading up to Dubai Fashion Week, the official calendar will enable brands, designers and industry players to activate their own programme 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 programme and appointing the region’s first curvy model on the runway

Dubai Design District (d3) is part of TECOM Group’s business district portfolio, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Industrial City.