Vogue To Launch Fashion Event In Dubai

International fashion magazine Vogue Italia has tied up with The Dubai Mall to host a new fashion event in Dubai on October 10.

The inaugural ‘Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience,’ will showcase design collections of eight regional and international upcoming designers selected by Vogue Italia. They include: Wadah Al Hajri from Qatar, Mohammed Ashi from Kuwait, Razan Alazzouni from Saudi Arabia, Lulwa Al Amin from Bahrain, Ituen Basi from Nigeria, Simone Rocha from Ireland, Andrea Incontri from Italy and Esme Vie from Russia.

The event will be held at the Fashion Catwalk in The Dubai Mall, and will also be screened across the mall’s multimedia displays to an expected audience of over 400,000 visitors, a statement said.

Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, said: “I have been working in fashion for more than 25 years and met many designers. I can say there is true talent in the region and I am excited to see more during the mentoring sessions I will be giving in the run-up to the event.”

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, which operates Dubai Mall, added: “The unprecedented industry experience that awaits the participants will serve as an inspiration for the young designers, and further enable Dubai to set new trends in the global fashion scene.”

To mark the event, the Grand Atrium at The Dubai Mall will host an exhibition featuring 50 popular Vogue covers. Participating stores will also exhibit specifically created merchandise for sale.

“It’s a great honour to have been selected amongst a group of very talented young designers from around the world,” said Razan Alazzouni, the designer from Saudi Arabia. “It’s very exciting to know that my designs will be viewed globally.”

Dubai, which is seeking to become a global fashion hub by 2020, recently announced a new mega fashion development, the Dubai Design District. To be operated by TECOM Investments, the project is aimed at becoming a full-service commercial hub for design industry-related organisations.

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

Earlier this month, Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also issued a decree to set up a new Dubai Design and Fashion Council in the emirate.

The council will be tasked with creating a strategy to develop the emirate’s fashion industry and will also seek to help regional talent and support design events and initiatives.