Menu
Menu
In line with the Arab Fashion Council’s (AFC) vision, we coordinate several important industry-relevant events to advance and accelerate our region’s creatives. In addition, we collaborate with overseas counterparts and organizations to cross-promote a creative exchange of talent. We also support international events that fit the AFC vision and strategy.
Founded by Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, DUBAI FASHION WEEK is the only official platform in Dubai. DFW seeks to project Dubai’s creativity and fashion business worldwide while advancing the Arab fashion industry through advocacy, showcasing events in Dubai and key export markets, and utilizing collective knowledge and resources. In undertaking this mission, both AFC and d3 share in the vision of expanding the Fashion Industry and sector’s growth & economic impact while elevating the creative allure of the fashion industry on an international level.
It is recognized as one of the world’s five most important fashion weeks, alongside New York, London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Weeks.
10 – 15 October 2023: Spring/ Summer 2024
In today’s world, the same 10k euro dress is being sold in 100 plus points of sale around the world. However, the luxury client is looking for more privacy and exclusivity at that price point. In 2017, they also looked for more social responsibility and cared for the ecology.
Accordingly, Ready-Couture is the answer to all these concerns by diminishing “à-la-chaine production” and re-establishing a more privileged designer-client relationship that has been lost with Ready-to-Wear.
It is also the economic model that fits the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, knowing that the designers of those regions create custom garments for their clients in need of adjustments or personalization, as opposed to mass production due to traditions and personal preferences.
While the Pre-Collection presentations are scattered worldwide, it becomes tough for buyers and the press to follow; however, Pre-Collections are the fastest-rising RTW seasons and the most successful in stores. “I had no concept that these additional lines would come to represent such an important part of my budget,” Bridget Cosgrove, Fashion Director of Boutique1, says.
Consequently, DFW decided to open its impressive infrastructure to brands wishing to increase their pre-collection visibility by hosting them in a genuinely exotic destination, Dubai. (just as Chanel and Public School recently did).
The DFW will provide the perfect infrastructure for hosting the show, buyers, and the press.
DFW is the world’s only platform that pioneers the concept of Ready-Couture. After its success, the DFW paves its way to celebrate Dubai as the capital for Pre-Collections.
As Paris Fashion Week is the Haute Couture powerhouse, Dubai Fashion Week aims to be the benchmark of the Ready-Couture and a perfect destination for Pre-Collections happenings.
Our concept is to offer a single five days event that gathers buyers, UNHI clients, and press from around the world, likewise, a key-in-hand opportunity to organize a Pre-Collection or Ready-Couture fashion show creating impactful events and photo content for the brands.
The Dubai Fashion Week admits to its platform not only local Arab designers but also international brands from all over the world. The selection of designers is not based on nationality but on the many factors determining the brand’s qualification.
To apply as a designer, please click here.
The Arab Fashion Week is the official fashion week in Dubai and the Arab region, coordinated by the Arab Fashion Council in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District.
The Arab Fashion Week takes place 4 times a year each October and March for Womenswear and each January and June for Menswear.
It is recognized as one of the world’s 5 most important fashion weeks alongside to New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks.
WOMEN’S:
24 – 28 October 2022: Spring/ Summer 2023
24 – 28 March 2023: Fall/ Winter 2023/24
MEN’S:
28 – 30 June 2022: Spring/ Summer 2023
28 – 30 January 2023: Fall/ Winter 2023/24
In today’s world, the same 10k euro dress is being sold in 100 plus point of sales around the world. However, the luxury client is looking for more privacy and exclusivity at that price point. In 2017, he or she also looks for more social responsibility and care for the ecology.
Accordingly, Ready-Couture is the answer to all these concerns by diminishing ‘à-la-chaine production’ and re-establishing a more privileged designer/ client relationship that has been lost with Ready-to-Wear.
It is also the economic model that fits the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, knowing that the designers of those regions create custom garments for their clients in need of adjustments or personalization, as opposed to mass production due to traditions and personal preferences.
While the Pre-Collection presentations are scattered around the world, it becomes tough for buyers and press to follow; however, Pre-Collections are the fastest rising RTW seasons and the most successful in stores. “I had no concept that these additional lines would come to represent such an important part of my budget,” Bridget Cosgrove, Fashion Director of Boutique1, says.
Consequently, AFW decided to open their impressive infrastructure to brands wishing to increase their pre-collection visibility by hosting them in a truly exotic travel destination that is Dubai. (just as Chanel and Public School recently did).
The AFW will provide the perfect infrastructure for hosting the show, buyers, and press.
AFW is the world’s only platform that pioneers the concept of Ready-Couture. After its success, the AFW paves its way to celebrate Dubai as the capital for Pre-Collections.
As Paris Fashion Week is the Haute Couture powerhouse, the Arab Fashion Week aims to be the benchmark of the Ready-Couture as well a perfect destination for Pre-Collections happenings.
Our concept is to offer a single 5 days event that gathers buyers, UNHI clients, and press from around the world, likewise, a key-in-hand opportunity to organize a Pre-Collection or Ready-Couture fashion show creating impactful events and photo content for the brands.
On the 23rd of Apr 2015, H.E. Cav. Mario Boselli, the Honorary President of the Camera Italiana Della Moda (National Chamber of Italian Fashion) that organizes Milan Fashion Week, and the Arab Fashion Council. Mario Boselli stated during the announcement press conference” Arab Fashion Week is the new landmark of the Fashion Industry and to be on the Calendar alongside to New York, London, Milan & Paris”.
The first edition of the Arab Fashion Week (AFW) was held in Dubai from 31 October till 2 November 2015.
In April 2018 AFC organized the first-ever fashion week in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the support of the General Entertainment Authority in Riyadh from 10-14 April 2018.
In May 2018, the Arab Fashion Week took place at the Queen Elizabeth II cruise to become the first floating fashion week.
From March 2020 till June 2021 the Arab Fashion Week has become digital due to the Covid 19 pandemic, it was broadcasted online in partnership with Facebook Inc.
On the 5 of Jan 2021, the Arab Fashion Week announced the first-ever Men’s Fashion Week in the history of the Middle East in collaboration with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode the French organization that coordinated Paris Fashion Week. The event then took place digitally in partnership with Facebook Inc from 28-20 Jan 2021 and achieved over 1.4 Billion views and impressions. With the Men’s Arab Fashion Week the event is now hosted 4 times a year.
In October 2021 the Arab Fashion Week has returned to in-person shows at the Dubai Design District.
Arab Fashion Week is now considered one of the world’s five most important fashion weeks in the world, as featured in Vogue Italy and other important press.
The Arab Fashion Week, Dubai admits to its platform not only local Arab designers but also international brands from all over the world. The selection of designers is not based on nationality but on the many different factors that determine the brand’s qualification.
To apply as a designer, please click here.
The first Fashion Icon Award ceremony was held virtually in October 2020 amid the Covid19 pandemic. On occasion, through a live broadcast in partnership with META, the Lebanese Superstar Maya Diab was named Fashion Icon 2020.
A year later, the council physically hosted the second edition on 24 October 2021 at Dubai Design District (d3) in Dubai. Attended by globally renowned celebrities, media, authoritative voices, and royalties, during which Kim Culmone, SVP, Global Head of Design Barbie & Fashion Dolls at Mattel, received the Trophy on behalf of Barbie, the “Fashion Icon 2021“. In addition, Jeremy Scott showcased a tribute to the legendary Barbie through his Moschino x Barbie capsule collection.
A panel of 100 industry experts votes anonymously over ten months each year. The recipient receives the iconic FIA trophy representing a figure with wings triumphally spread overhead, handmade in Lebanon with over 100 hours of handcraft. The FIA trophy is a registered trademark for the Arab Fashion Council.
Discover more about the 2021 Fashion Icon and meet the real Barbie by watching this exclusive interview courtesy of Euro News.
A series of fashion talks, conferences and workshops hosted either n parallel with the Arab Fashion Week or standalone events. The aim of the fashion summits is to enable the industry plays to discuss the latests challenges the industry is facing and finding the best practice into navigating those challenging. In addition, it provides strong business network and introduction to new innovation and tools that boost the business of our members.
Designers Related Initiatives