What to watch out for at Fashion Forward Dubai Season 7
A carefully created space displaying the best regional jewellery and accessory designers is always a highlight of an event. With both Sarah’s Bags and Nathalie Trad taking part, there’s bound to be some much-desired arm candy to watch out for. A clutch designed by Nathalie Trad can only be described as a fusion of arm candy, architecture and art. Born in Beirut, educated in Paris and New York, the Dubai-based designer is known for geometric shapes and use of unusual material such as shell, brass, steel and copper. She often references the work of architects Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid and Louis Kahn. Sarah Beydoun of Sarah’s Bag has built an international accessory business by selling bags handmade by former prostitutes and
IT BAGS:
prisoners. This is ethical fashion at its elegant best and Sarah will also be part of panel discussing ‘Why ethical fashion matters’, which is being moderated by Ritu Upadhyay of
Look out for the Starch Foundation runway shows, which showcase a trio of new names. Two other debut designers are Kristina Fidelskaya and Saltanat Baimukhamedova. Mixing vintage styles with her current cultural fascinations, Dubai-based Kristina’s eponymous label is about effortless elegance. Kazakhstani designer Saltanat Baimukhamedova founded her label SALTA in 2008 and it relocated to Dubai in 2016. The label offers freedom and comfort with a touch of modern ethnic creativity and she likes
DEBUT DESIGNERS:
to keep it affordable.
FFWD closes with Amato Haute Couture, one of the region’s best-loved labels. The brand combines a love of romance with dramatic opulence, which very much works with the sensibilities in this region. At FFWD they show their accessible line. The opening show of the event is Hussein Bazaza, known for his intricate pieces where every cut reflects a different story. The Lebanese designer has worked as a junior stylist for Elie Saab and recently won the inaugural Style.com/Arabia DDFC Fashion Prize. Other collections, which deserve a special mention, are Bouguessa, Army of One, Bint Thani, Lama Jouni, Taller Marmo and Zayan The Label.
BIG TICKET SHOWS: