Designers announced for Arab Fashion Week 24-28 March 2021
DESIGNERS ANNOUNCED FOR ARAB FASHION WEEK
24-28 March
Presented in Partnership with Microsoft
Broadcast live with Facebook Inc.
Dubai, 22 March 2021
The Arab Fashion Council© (AFC) has announced the participating designers for Arab Fashion Week Fall/ Winter 2021/22, featuring fashion designers from across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and America.
Antonio Grimaldi, the Italian couture designer, this season’s invited guest, set to make his first Arab Fashion Week debut, completing the stellar line up including Dubai based Amato, Michael Cinco, Nohma Design, Aavva, Euphoria and Maliche, Lebanese designer Jean-Charles Zakaria, Italian designer Sophia Nubes, Turkish designer Ezra Tuba, Polish label JAP Petelicka, Brazilian designers Andrea Conti and Sandro Barros, Palestinian designer Ihab Jiryis.
And as part of the AFC’s Green Label initiative, British label Bav Tailor, Croatian label Krie Design and Italian label Francesca Liberatore will showcase a sustainable collection in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. And the Dubai-based Jordanian designer Zaid Farouki will present a capsule collection capturing the theme of Human Expression in collaboration with BIC as Human Creativity partner of Arab Fashion Week.
In partnership with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) five Parisian brands, members of Paris Fashion Week, have been selected to participate in Arab Fashion Week; Heliot Emil, Germanier, Situationist, Weinsanto and Ester Manas.
“More than ever, emerging designers push the boundaries by impressing a new view on the world. They are committed on sustainability, on inclusivity and on respect. By presenting these talented labels from Paris Fashion Week® calendar in Dubai, we give them the possibility to take part of a global conversation for a better world.” Serge Carreira, Head of Emerging Brands Initiative at Paris Fashion Week/ Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM).
As the world continues to live through the pandemic, digital technology has enabled the Council to continue its mission without any interruption and accelerate its support to designers at a time when they need it most.
Under the theme “Dream Big, travel beyond”, designers are encouraged to dream big and to travel beyond conventional boundaries by embracing Microsoft’s pioneering digital advances, its services, and devices. “It has been a year since the tremendous success of the first ever digital Arab Fashion Week, and what started off as an interim solution is now recognized as a viable platform for broader audiences to enjoy large scale events such as this one. A year into the pandemic, it is more vital than ever to find ways to keep the creative industry connected with its designers, creators, and all that contribute to its success by thriving through innovation,” said Ihsan Anabtawi, COO and CMO of Microsoft UAE.
In addition to the shows, the virtual programme will include Red Talks hosting industry pioneers to discuss the fashion industry challenges and latest development, featuring Alia Metwally Vice President Retail Leasing at Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Zeina Ladki Brand Development Consultant and founder of FLTRD Concept Store, Serge Carreira Head of Emerging Brands Initiative at Paris Fashion Week/ FHCM, Joana Jamil Strategic Partner Manager, Public Figures & Social Influencers – Middle East and North Africa at Facebook, JoAnn Kharma Senior Regional Communications Manager – Africa, India, and Middle East BIC and Banu Celikmen Head of Buying at Harvey Nichols Instanbul and Doha, Laura Specchio President of the Council Commission of the Municipality of Milan, and Sheeraz Founder of Fame by Sheeraz/ Hollywood.
“Following the success of the previous virtual editions and the continued restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19, Arab Fashion Week will present the 5-day programme virtually and in line with the Council’s strategy to provide the world with a platform through which to view and access the exceptional creative fashion talent from the Arab region and abroad” said Jacob Abrian, Founder and Chief Executive of Arab Fashion Council.
Arab Fashion Week will go live on 24 March exclusively on Facebook Inc platforms, Facebook, and Instagram. Viewers will be able to shop their favorite runway looks through Instagram’s and Arab Fashion Week’s shop-the-runway e-commerce shop.arabfashionweek.com with digital transformation courtesy of “Nikon” as the shows imaging partner.
“Not only is Arab Fashion Week now established on the international fashion calendar, through challenging times, it has continued evolve to remain relevant, thereby reinforcing its position as the most valuable platform for designers operating in the Middle East. Together with our valued partners Microsoft, Facebook Inc. and Nikon, we stand by Arab creative talent by providing them with a robust platform capable of fostering their growth in response to an ever-evolving world,” said Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer of the Arab Fashion Council.
Notes to Editors:
About the Arab Fashion Council (AFC):
The Arab Fashion Council© is the world’s largest non-profit fashion council and an INGO for the Arab world, representing the 22 members of the Arab League. The Arab Fashion Council© coordinates and endorses Arab Fashion Week and Arab Fashion Week-Men’s.
Recent Milestones:
COVID-19: The Arab Fashion Council partnered with the Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Design District to mobilize designers to produce PPE to support health sector front line workers.
Beirut: The Arab Fashion Council and Marie Claire Arabia launched the Beirut Fashion Relief Initiative to support the creative sector whose businesses were impacted by the explosion.
Partnership with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode: The Arab Fashion Council together with the Fédération, co-presented “Arab Designers in Paris” and “Parisians in Dubai” a creative showroom exchange to showcase the talented designers of Paris and Arab Fashion Weeks in respective new markets.
Arab Fashion Week went digital: The Arab Fashion Council partnered with Facebook, Inc. to broadcast Arab Fashion Week October edition live to over 2 billion global users. The first virtual Arab Fashion Week was opened by Lebanese super star Maya Diab.
2021: The Arab Fashion Council presented Arab Fashion Week- Men’s, the first men’s fashion week in the Middle East.
The Arab Fashion Council© is the world’s largest non-profit fashion council and an INGO for the Arab world, representing the 22 members of the Arab League.
The Arab Fashion Council© coordinates and endorses Arab Fashion Week and Arab Fashion Week-Men’s.
About Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM):
The Federation numbers some one hundred members, amongst whom feature the most emblematic brands on the global stage. It comprises three Chambres Syndicales or central bodies (Haute Couture, Women’s and Men’s Fashion).
The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode brings together fashion brands that foster creation and international development. It seeks to promote French fashion culture, where Haute Couture and creation have a major impact by combining traditional know how and contemporary technology at all times. It contributes to bolstering Paris in its role as worldwide fashion capital in particular coordinating Paris Fashion Week®.