At a private dinner in Dubai, Jacob Abrian, Founder and CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, welcomed Amina Taher as Chairwoman on behalf of the Council’s Board, and announced the AFC Fashion Fund Emirati Chapter, an initiative dedicated to the development of Emirati designers and their houses. 

Over the past decade, the Council has established the international standing of Arab fashion. The Emirati Chapter is among the first steps of its forthcoming manifesto for 2027 to 2029, which turns the Council’s attention to the UAE and to supporting Emirati talent from the atelier to the global stage. 

The Emirati Chapter will offer selected designers mentorship, strategic counsel, access to retail partners and international exposure. Its purpose is to help Emirati creativity take its rightful place within the global fashion landscape, through houses built to endure. 

Jacob Abrian, Founder and CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, said: “For ten years, the Arab Fashion Council has defined the place of Arab fashion on the international stage. On behalf of the Board, I am proud to welcome Amina Taher as Chairwoman. Her standing and experience will strengthen the Council as we set out our priorities for the years ahead. The Emirati Chapter is the first expression of those priorities: a commitment to give Emirati designers the structure, the expertise and the partnerships to build houses of lasting significance.” 

Amina Taher, Chairwoman of the Arab Fashion Council, said: “It is an honour to serve as Chairwoman of the Arab Fashion Council, an institution that has played an important role in shaping the region’s fashion landscape over the past decade. Emirati creativity has a distinct voice, rooted in our heritage and driven by a confidence and ambition that is uniquely our own. We want to help create an environment where that creativity can thrive, and where the next generation has every reason to believe they can build from here and succeed anywhere. I am proud that the Emirati Chapter marks the beginning of this next phase.” 

Held at Maison Revka, Delano Dubai, at the kind invitation of Rizwan Kassim, Founder and CEO, Paris Society, and accompanied by Diptyque, whose candles and fragrances composed the atmosphere of the evening, the dinner brought together distinguished figures from government, culture, luxury, retail, real estate, technology and media. 

In attendance were H.E. Alia Al Hammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office; H.E. Buthaina Almazrouei, Director General, Government Financial Affairs, Department of Finance Abu Dhabi; Maggie Abdelbaset, Director, Retail, Festivals and Events, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; H.E. Edoardo Napoli, Consul General of Italy in Dubai; Nijoud Al Qadi, Fashion and Design Section Head, Culture Sector Policy and Development Office, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi; Khulood Khoory, Director of Design at Dubai Culture; and Clementine Martini, Acting Director and Head of Region, Southwestern Europe, PR and Communications, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. 

They were joined by Patrick Chalhoub, Group CEO of Chalhoub Group; Ingie Chalhoub, Founder and President of Etoile Group; Khalifa Bin Braik, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management; Nazli Sonmez, EVP, PR, Communications and Brand Partnerships, Paris Society and Ennismore; Jessica Kassim, Partner, Paris Society; George Paige, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Aldar; Yasmeen Sami, Director, Programming and Outreach, Dubai Design District (d3); Mariam Al Badr, Vice President, Marketing, Brand and Communications, Abu Dhabi Airports; Jeremy Jauncey, Founder and CEO of Beautiful Destinations; Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015; and couturier Tarun Tahiliani. 

The world of luxury was represented by Thibault Hesse, CEO, Middle East, Africa and India, Valentino; Yasmina Khoudja, Managing Director, Chopard Middle East; Ghia Khayat Hawari, Director of Marketing Communication, Middle East and Africa (East), Tiffany & Co.; Mariane Motcheho, Managing Director, Van Cleef & Arpels UAE; and Elisa Bruno, CEO of Level Shoes, alongside Lubna Mobied, Head of Culture Strategy, EMEIA, Apple; Anthony Nakache, Managing Director, MENA, Google; Moon Baz, Director of Global Partnerships for Africa, the Middle East and Turkey, Meta; and Joana Jamil, Strategic Partner Manager, Global Partnerships, Middle East and North Africa, Meta. 

Leading voices from the media included Thomas Khoury, Managing Director, Middle East, Condé Nast; Valia Taha, Publisher and Group Editor in Chief of ELLE Arabia; Cynthia Kattar, Editor in Chief of MADAME Arabia; Lara Mansour Sawaya, Founder and Editor in Chief of A&E Magazine; Alison Tay, Editorial Director of ITP Media Group; Jessica Michault, Senior Editor, Emirates Woman and Emirates Man; and Sujata Assomull, Contributing Editor, Vogue Business. 

As the UAE affirms its position as a global capital of fashion, design and creative enterprise, the Arab Fashion Council remains committed to uniting institutional vision with lasting investment in talent. 

Through the Emirati Chapter, the Council looks ahead to bringing Emirati fashion to the world.