COUNTDOWN TO DUBAI FASHION GALA

Local, global fashion set to come under spotlight

Manila Chansmouth opens the file on Dubai Fashion Week

As shoppers clearly spend less on high-end fashion, we’ll get a much better idea of how the trend will play out at Dubai Fashion Week. Luxury and excess is dead, take our word for it if you didn’t already know. Even if you’ve got big bucks, flaunting them in fashion isn’t on.

Colour will be the new black. Not to say noir is not still fabulous – who isn’t in love with Barack Obama’s kit? – but look for guys to also embrace some bold and regal shades of blue, emerald green, ruby red and deep purple to bounce away the economic blues.

Also brace yourself for a trip down memory lane as jeans recall the messy, trashy days of the '80s. We saw how Balmain summed up the mood in Paris with a pair of ripped acid-washed numbers and now our denim maestros Ksubi, Sass & Bide and Denim & Thread are getting into the groove. Watch for this to drip-feed into Dubai Fashion Week. Then it’ll be all over the Gulf malls.

As for the shape, time to move over skinny jeans. This season, blokes go baggy. Shapes go slouchy - as the comfy guy (cropped and cuffed) becomes the new must-have and that means lust-have. Girls will be borrowing your jeans right, left and centre if you’re not a big guy, if you get my drift. So for winter the man has been given a bit of a retro makeover courtesy of bleached washes, rips, holes and fabric paint.

Tough, sexy and eager to add edge to your outfit, if you buy nothing else make sure you splash out on a chic biker or bomber jacket and a killer pair of leather pants this winter. Think Brando in The Wild One.

Look for it in lightweight leather with quirky detailing and in classic black or happy shades of mellow yellow, orange, maroon and tan.
Dubai Fashion week inches closer – organisers have revealed it will be staged April 5-9.

It will again be held in the Godolphin Ballroom, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai. Organisers Concept Group say it will “cement Dubai's position in the global fashion arena, whilst simultaneously propelling local and regional talent into the industry foray.”

We hear over 30 designers will have their creations on the catwalk. They include Walid Atallah, Reem Ali Beljafla, HSY, Hatem Alakeel, Amal Murad, Salma Khan and Mariam Al Mazro. Collections will range from couture to prêt à porter.

“DFW is now in its fifth season and the regional and local fashion industry is once again buzzing with anticipation,” says Aldrin Fernandes, chairman, Concept Group.

“Last season the designers showed the media, fashion retail buyers, and fashion-consumers just how much talent exists in the Middle East. We are thrilled by the interest and awareness this event is generating and look forward to another showcase of fantastic collections.”

Organisers tout Dubai Fashion Week as the region's flagship fashion trade event. It aims to offer retail buyers, fashion professionals and media an exclusive preview of the season's upcoming collections and trends right on our doorstep. This also helps bolster the viability of the local industry.

“Following on from previous successful events, DFW is increasingly attracting high-profile designers and buyers from the entire region. It has also successfully developed enormous interest in young and emerging designers to showcase through the Emerging Talent' show”, adds Rohit Sabikhi, the event director.

“With the objective of facilitating business, in addition to offering designers a highly subsidised show fee, DFW will continue to provide opportunities onsite for designers and buyers to communicate and transact business through a dedicated buyer lounge.”

“Dubai lights up with the arrival of Fashion Week and the upcoming season will be packed with world-class designs, well-known industry personalities, buyers, media and lots of networking events.”