Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) season 5 took place from the 10th of april until the 13th. 25 designers from the Dubai – Middle East region showcased their Autumn – Winter 2015 collections: Ready to Wear or Haute Couture. FFWD kicked off with a show by Ezra Santos, who presented ‘The Maria Clara Collection’. The inspiration behind this haute couture collection is Manila (Philippines) in the 1930’s and the mestizas (person of mixed race) clad in their finest Maria Clara (traditional gown worn by women in the Philippines). It is one of my favorite collections from FFWD as it includes stunning gowns in soft pink with fine details.
Amato showcased his couture collection during the grand finale on sunday. He put on an extravagant show with his edgy and artistic designs. His collection includes a lot of denim, which is very on trend (even denim on denim is back in fashion, but don’t get too carried away with this trend like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake once did!).
The beauty about Fashion Forward Dubai is that the designers showcase collections which are clearly influenced by Arab culture and heritage. From oriental embroidery to long, flowing gowns made from silky fabrics, draped and layered in creative ways. An oriental journey! The event is not all about modest fashion as some might think (prejudice), the region is also known for its luxury and grandeur, which you could see from the glamorous designs, shimmering and sparkling on the ramp.
The Arab fashion world is fast growing and shows a lot of potential. Amazingly talented designers took the stage to present their art to a multicultural audience. A fashion weekend where contemporary design goes hand in hand with cultural elements.
As I find it hard to crown one collection as my favorite, I have picked 16 gems from FFWD to share with you. Let me know which ones you like best!
Top: Ezra, AMATO, Jean Louis Sabaji
Bottom: The Emperor 1688, Dima Ayad, Said Mahrouf
Zareena, Mauzan, Starch Foundation, Taller Marmo
Mauzan, Maral, Yousef Al-Jasmi, Jean Louis Sabaji
IMAGES BY IAN GAVAN AND STUART C. WILSON – Courtesy of Getty Images
FASHION FORWARD DUBAI