The Arab Fashion Council, in strategic partnership with the Dubai Design District and in partnership with HuManagement, inaugurated the fashion scene by hosting the first in-person Fashion Icon Awards- as released on November 1.
The pink carpet gala dinner and awards ceremony was graced by regional and international media, celebrities and fashion industry key players - presented on stage by celebrity couple Cynthia Samuel and Adam Bakri.
On day one:
Lebanese superstar, Maya Diab, who was named the first Fashion Icon last year during a digital celebration from Beirut, handed the Trophy to Kim Culmone, Mattel's Vice President of Barbie Design. In tribute to Barbie, Jeremy Scott, creative director of Moschino received the Council’s Medal of Honour for a lifetime achievement followed by a fashion show presenting Moschino’s Barbie archive collection.
The week-long physical event continued after the awards ceremony with the return of the Arab Fashion Week to in-person activation, welcoming over 7000 fashion connoisseurs from around the world that united in Dubai to celebrate in-person the Spring Summer 2022 collection.
On day two:
Dubai based couturier, Furne One, creative director of Amato opened the season with dramatic attention to handcraft and embroideries that embodied the DNA of the brand in two dominating colours red and black. Evening gowns and couture body suits were the most featured silhouettes on the runway.
Emirati label, Euphoria, showcased a proper ready couture collection that ticks the boxes for evening wear and at the same time maintaining the technique of ready-to-wear with the strategy to enable women in having easy access to evening wear. Red carpet silhouettes, pastel colors and sequins are the main highlights of the collection.
Palestinian label, Ihab Jiryis, showcased an evening wear and bridal collection that pays tribute to high-end finishing, details, and the art of embroideries know-how. The silhouettes of the collection were dominated by the geometrical applique and volumes on the waist and shoulders that determined the DNA of the collection.
Polish label, Gosia Baczynka, showcased a fusion of wearable couture in a line range composed of evening wear and lavish daily-wear. Soft colours, modern cuts using advanced technology and mix of fabric is the highlight of the shows.
On day three:
Emirati designer, Yara bin Shakar, marked her return with a twist to the brand’s DNA, the brand has replaced the modest wear with more focus on relaxed sleeveless cuts. Whilst the brand maintained pastel, calm colours, it featured also light fabric and prints
Polish label, Dorota Goldpoint, showcased a collection featuring mainly evening gowns with attention to simple cuts away from embroideries and with focus on prints.
Dubai Design District based label, Autonomie founded by Egyptian creative director Maha Ahmed, showcased for the first time a ready to wear collection titled “Metanoia” which refers to the act of reforming, becoming new.
Autonomie surprised the audience with the Aramex capsule collection that hit the runway, the looks are upcycled using shipping materials; boxes, shipping labels and tapes.
French designer, Victor Weinsanto put the sass in Alsace with his spring collection.
The British-New York based designer Christian Cowan, ho made it clear with his SS22 collection that a strong party life post Covid-19 isn’t over with a party-cloth theme featuring feathers, crystals, sheers an array of unpredicted prints to the models walking down the runway who were told to “ham it up” on runway like the 90s.
On day four:
Lebanese-Dubai based label, BLSSD, showcased a ready-to-wear collection featuring accessible daily wear line dominated by oversized looks, maxi skirts combined with jackets, asymmetrical silhouettes and plisse mainly in black, metallic silver and white colours. A collection that definitely sells in every market.
Polish label, POCA & POCA, presented the SS22 collection aimed to bring to life exceptional creations for the charming woman, personifying her original and charismatic sense of style. From bows to pleats and ruffles, the baby pink stitch, the feminine and sweet that bring a sense of whimsy.
Colombian renowned label, GLORY ANG, showcased “Magical Creatures” to capture femininity, fun and sensuality.
French-Beirut based designer, Eric Ritter, creative director of EMERGENCY ROOM, took people through his “Neverland” collection. The sustainable approach of the brand from upcycled fabric to inclusive choice of mannequins has been clearly reflected on the choreography, models casting, music and video.
On day five:
Iraqi-Dubai based renowned designer, Zeena Zaki, opened the last day of the Fashion Week through a recorded video to greet the audience from Costa Rica where the designer is currently at on a peace mission. Her SS22 collection filled the runway with glamourous evening gowns dominated by pastel colours, simple cuts and ruffled silhouettes. Zeena Zaki’s celebrity daughter Rania Fawaz greeted the audience at the end of the show.
Manila based Pilipino designer, Michael Leyva, showcased his SS22 collection featuring dreamy couture gowns in flashy colours on couture pieces.
