Dubai’s Ruler Announces New Fashion District

Dubai has revealed ambitious plans to create a new district in the emirate that will cater specifically to the fashion and design industry.

The development, announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be named the “Dubai Design District” and will be located adjacent to the Business Bay area. No financial details were disclosed.

The district will be operated by TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding and is aimed at becoming a full-service commercial hub for design industry-related organisations, brands, and supporting enterprises within the value chain, the Dubai government’s media office said in a statement. It also seeks to increase the number of local and regional designers.

It will feature commercial and retail facilities for established and emerging designers, design institutes, waterfront promenade, a convention centre, event venues and related academic institutions.

“The new fashion, design, and luxury goods district builds on Dubai’s strengths in tourism, which is expected to double the number of visitors to 20 million by 2020, and in retail, which is estimated to grow to Dhs151 billion in the next two years,” said the statement.

“Dubai Design District will be a vital part of the process as we look to deliver against the objectives set out in our Tourism Vision 2020, and it will provide an additional key element in Dubai’s bid to host Expo 2020,” it added.

Major industry players like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Ralph Lauren have already set-up operations in Dubai and the city continues to attract several top fashion brands – Abercrombie & Fitch will launch its Middle East first store in Dubai next year and fashion lines George, Crazy 8 and Calzedonia are making their debut in Dubai this year.