International Dubai Fashion Week to take place in April

The International Dubai Fashion Week (iDFW) will take place from April 26-28 at the Palazzo Versace Hotel with a new and innovative identity. The list of exhibitors has been expanded, and an accompanying exhibition has been allocated, in addition to contracts with a team of renowned designers and expert houses who wish to participate in this event.

Sheikha Hend Bint Faisal Al Qassemi, chairman of the Advisory Board and board member of the Dubai Fashion and Design College, and owner of Velvet HQ – the organiser of International Dubai Fashion Week – confirmed that setting a new date for the Dubai Fashion week was to fit with the international fashion shows calendar. In addition, the organising body had entered in new international contracts with famous designers and major houses of international fashion design, which called for the date’s amendment of the most important event of its kind in the GCC.

Sheikha Al Qassemi pointed out that Dubai has become a regional lighthouse for innovation and design thanks to its government’s keenness to launch initiatives that support progress in the design industry, and stimulate innovation. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, has launched a number of initiatives to support the development of Dubai as an emerging capital for design in the world by establishing creative incubators that meet the needs of the industry and support the development of creative talents according to Dubai plan 2021.

Sheikha Al Qassemi said preparations with partners are underway, to be ready for the launch of the best season of the International Dubai Fashion Week 2018, which will mark a quantum leap in the local and regional fashion industry. It will include many inspiring and innovative events and ideas, highlighting the latest regional and local fashion lines.

“We aim to put Dubai Fashion Week on the list of the world’s largest fashion events including those held in New York, London, Milan and Paris. Our aim is also to make it a regular event on the calendar of all fashion creators that they feel they must participate in it, which supports our aspirations to strengthen Dubai’s international standing in this creative sector,” she adds.

She explained that many fine details were re-organised for this event, which included professional designing of the platforms and catwalks, sound engineering, lighting and exclusive television channels’ broadcasting, in addition to social networking websites and local and international media, which will have a great presence in this season.

Designer Waleed Attallah affirmed that the International Dubai Fashion Week will ensure a significant leap forward within the UAE and the region, both on organisation and participation levels. “The fashion and design sector within the UAE & GCC countries is considered one of the most vital in size and quality. Based on the strong demands for the latest global fashion trends, and high purchasing power, the world’s leading companies are competing to open their stores in the region’s most vibrant markets.”