ARAB FASHION WEEK
Organized by the world’s largest non-profit fashion council. ARAB FASHION COUNCIL, founded in London under the companies acts 2006, incorporation number 09227268 with the activity of an extraterritorial international authority for the Arab countries members of the Arab League.
The Arab Fashion Week since its first edition has received its recognition as one of the world’s highest profile designers showcase alongside to the other four big fashion weeks held in New York (NYFW), London (LFW), Milan (MFW) & Paris (PFW) being officially on the international calendar. In addition, AFW is the only official fashion week in the world for promoting the Ready-Couture and Pre-Collections which defines the international industry scene of luxury fashion in Dubai and the Arab World.FASHION DUBAI, FASHION IN DUBAI, FASHION WEEK DUBAI.
PROUDLY, THE ARAB FASHION WEEK (AFW) IS THE WORLD’S ONLY PLATFORM PROMOTING THE ‘READY-COUTURE’ COLLECTIONS, WHICH IS KNOWN ALSO AS ‘DEMI-COUTURE’, ‘PRÊT-À-COUTURE’ OR ‘COUTURE-À-PORTER’. CURRENTLY HOSTED IN DUBAI, TWICE A YEAR, IN MAY FOR RESORT AND DECEMBER FOR PRE-FALL WINTER COLLECTIONS. FASHION DUBAI, FASHION IN DUBAI, FASHION WEEK DUBAI.
READY-COUTURE (RC)
In today’s world, the same 10k euro dress is being sold in 100 plus point of sales around the word. 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 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 personalisation, as opposed to mass producing due to traditions and personal preferences.
RESORT
In today’s time, most of the brands don’t have the luxury of time to put together a Pre-Collection show this is why they resort, to do photo shoots.
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 at the world’s longest structure The Meydan Hotel & Grandstands, creating a real excitement around the new collections.
STRATEGY
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 is the Haute Couture capital of the world, Dubai aims to be the capital of the Ready-Couture as well a perfect destination for Pre-Collections happenings.
The 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.
NEXT EDITION
The 4th edition of the ARAB FASHION WEEK & DESIGNERS’ SHOWROOMS is scheduled to be hosted in Dubai, at the world’s longest building on Earth, The Meydan Hotel & Grandstands, from the 16-20th of May 2017.
DESIGNERS ADMISSION
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 typology of product which should fit the ‘Ready-Couture’ standards.
To apply as a designer, please click here.
HOW IS IT RELATED TO THE ARAB WORLD? WHY IS IT CALLED ARAB FASHION WEEK?
The fact that the Arab Fashion Week admits International Designers to show on our Calendar underlines the importance and relevance of the Arab World and its market to host international designers from around the world to participate in this platform and setup their business in the region.
The candidature of the countries to host the event was open for all the Arabic Governments members of the Arab League and the selection was based on the voting Campaign open to the public which was launched through the official website of the Arab Fashion Week receiving more than 7 million votes.
The Arab World is the new attraction of fashion, and The Arab Fashion Week is the only official fashion week in Dubai scheduled on the International Calendar of Fashion events.
*Schedule to be posted a month prior to the AFW
Date: May 16 – 20, 2017
Location: The Meydan Hotel, Dubai
Ready-Couture | Resort 2018 | The Boutiques Pop-Up Department Store
APPLICATIONS
These applications are dedicated to fashion designers & brands interested to participate at the Arab Fashion Week for READY COUTURE, RESORT 2018 & SHOWROOMS, Dubai, from 16-20 May 2017.
Please click on the links below to start your application form procedure.
DESIGNER’S APPLICATION
SHOWROOMS APPLICATION
BUYERS REGISTRATION
PRESS REGISTRATION