Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD), the region’s progressive fashion platform, endorsed by Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC) and with Dubai Design District (d3) as Strategic Partner, will return for its tenth edition from October 26th – 28th.

The definitive fashion platform that has championed Middle Eastern design talent for the past five years and has propelled the careers of many designers both internationally and regionally, will showcase seasoned couture, ready-to-wear and accessory designers, as well as debut new talent at a new location in the heart of d3, in the Design Quarter.  

Since its launch, FFWD has played host to thousands of guests from buyers and fashion industry insiders to international and regional media, as they descend on Dubai to preview stand-out regional talent. In 2013 FFWD burst onto the regional fashion scene showing 18 designers and hosting lively debates at Dubai’s luxurious Madinat Jumeirah. Fast forward to Season 7, in February 2016 FFWD earned the official endorsement from DDFC and made the noteworthy move to Hai d3, marking its strategic alliance with Dubai’s creative hub, d3. Now in its 10thseason, this edition represents yet another breakthrough in Fashion Forward’s success, marked by a signature move to the Design Quarter (DQ) at d3, the heart of the fashion industry in the region. The Design Quarter has become the central component in the development of d3 and is already home to over 6000 people and 400 luxury, fashion and design businesses. As an organically developed vibrant and creative neighbourhood, DQ is truly a ­fitting location for Dubai’s leading fashion event, continuing to establish the platform’s position as a progressive fashion authority in the region.

Bong Guerrero, CEO and co-founder of FFWD said, “This October is a key milestone in FFWD’s evolution as we celebrate the tenth edition of the platform in our new home in the center of Dubai’s creative hub. With the continued support of d3 and DDFC the platform has become the reference point for regional design talent and a launch pad for international visibility. Each season we introduce new concepts, explore new topics of conversation, discover new talent and deliver a new experience while providing an environment where passion, collaboration and purpose meet.”

Together with DDFC and d3, FFWD has set the benchmark for the region’s fashion events, contributing towards building a sustainable infrastructure for designers to flourish while assisting in the vision of the diversification of Dubai’s creative industry.

Jazia Al Dhanhani, CEO, Dubai Design & Fashion Council, said: “We are proud to continue our collaboration with Fashion Forward for its landmark tenth season, and the fourth season to be endorsed by DDFC. Fashion Forward continues to inspire us with its diversity, as it looks to create valuable avenues of growth for local and regional designers, and nurture and promote the immense pool of homegrown talent. This is closely aligned with our mandate to establish Dubai as the international capital of emerging design. We wish the Fashion Forward team and participating designers the utmost luck for Season 10, and look forward to another exciting edition.”

Maitha Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications of Dubai Design District commented, “d3 is delighted to host the tenth edition of Fashion Forward with the new location set in the heart of the design quarter. We are committed to supporting the development of emerging designers in the region and our design community provides a unique platform where they can unite and co-create. This season our visitors will experience an elevated creative journey with access to our exclusive fine dining restaurants, fashion ateliers and unique concept stores, enjoying the thriving atmosphere within the design hub”.

Designer registration for FFWD’s 10thEdition is now open with limited spaces available. To participate, designers can register at www.fashionforward.ae. Designer Participation is subject to approval. Designers are advised to register by the closing date, July 15th, 2017. Any late entries will be accepted based on availability.

Designers looking for further information regarding criteria can contact FFWD directly on [email protected] or visit the FFWD website.

About Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD)

Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) is the definitive fashion platform for Dubai and the Middle East -- which provides a platform and a progressive direction for fashion.  Key components of FFWD include: catwalk shows and presentations by the best couture, ready-to-wear designers of Middle Eastern origin, or region based; The Showcase, a curated space dedicated to accessories designers; the d3 Fashion Talks, to foster industry discussion; and a place to connect buyers and industry professionals directly with the designers.

www.fashionforward.ae

ABOUT DUBAI DESIGN DISTRICT

Dubai Design District, better known as d3, is a home for the region’s growing community of creative thinkers. It plays a key element in Dubai’s vision to transform into an innovation-led economy, and it aims to engage, inspire and enable emerging talent, as well as providing a platform to showcase Arab creativity to a larger, global audience.

As a dedicated creative destination, d3 answers a growing need for the regional design industry, ensuring that this important sector is able to develop and thrive. It provides businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives from across the design value chain with an ideally located, purpose built and sustainable ecosystem, which leverages technology to integrate ‘smart’ solutions throughout the development.

d3 is the newest of TECOM Group’s communities, with 11 buildings making up the core of the site already delivered and being handed over to tenants. To support its many creative partners, d3 offers individuals and businesses the choice of operating either as a free zone entity or as an on-shore business, each with its own merits.

By 2018, d3 will feature a one million square foot Creative Community, which will act as the site’s cultural epicentre, inspiring emerging designers and artists, and attracting tourists to the area. By 2019, d3 will also boast a bustling Waterfront, a 1.8km esplanade running alongside the Dubai Creek, with international and design-led hotels, boutique retail concept stores and an outdoor events space, as well as a host of hospitality and leisure facilities.

All of these various elements have been carefully designed to ensure that the creative thinkers using and visiting d3 every day have an energised and culture rich environment where they can coexist.

ABOUT THE DUBAI DESIGN AND FASHION COUNCIL

In 2013, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Decree No (23) determining the formation of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC), a member of the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCCA). Established in 2014, DDFC’s mandate is to raise the profile of Dubai as a regional and global destination for design and fashion, ensure the contribution of the creative industries to the sustainable development of the Emirate, stimulate trade and tourism, develop local talent, and attract companies operating in the fields of design and fashion to Dubai.

DDFC’s board, chaired by Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, consists of 14 board members representing a mix of key stakeholder groups, including government, academic, and private sector experts. The board members are Ali Jaber; Dean of Communication, American University of Dubai; Ashok Sawlani; Managing Committee, Dubai Textile City; Azza Fahmy; Chairwoman & Chief Designer, Azza Fahmy Jewellery; Farida Al Awadi; President APID, Managing Director, Cinmar Design; Ghassan Harfouche; Group CEO, MCN; Khalid Al Tayer; CEO Retail, Al Tayer Group; Mohammad Al Shael; CEO Business Development, Department of Economic Development; Nisha Jagtiani; Director, Landmark Group; Patrick Chalhoub; CEO, Chalhoub Group; Mr. Christopher Newman, COO Emaar Hospitality Group; Raja Trad; CEO, Leo Burnett and Publicis Group of Companies MENA; Reem Acra; CEO, Reem Acra; Saeed al Falasi, CEO Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment; Shireen El Khatib; SVP Brand Development and Special Projects, CEO Office, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures.