Future fashion Dubai: young Arab designers in the UAE
From kage's Cinema collection.
A recent assignment for Plaza led me to investigate the local fashion scene in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Now, the UAE – and specifically Dubai - may be known for many things, but bringing forth talented fashion designers is not one of them. This, I reckon, could be about to change.
After some serious word-of-mouth canvassing and relatively time-consuming Internet research - young designers are not always the best at making themselves visible online - I ended up with a long list of people whose work I thought merited a mention in my article. The problem: limited page space; many ended up being excluded. Which is why I thought I’d share my list of up-and-coming Dubai-based designers with you here.
Before you ask: no, I didn’t come across designers based in other parts of the UAE. For the moment, it seems, Dubai is where it’s at. If I’ve overlooked someone, please let me know!
At the bottom I’m also adding links to initiatives and events that are helping to educate, showcase and encourage local design talents.
These are the people whose designs you might soon see more often in the fashion pages:
krossbreed's pop-up studio at Abu Dhabi Art last November.
I met Khalid at his pop-up studio at Abu Dhabi Art last year. Khalid is actually a graphic designer and has had great success with his fashion projects as well. His edgy T-shirts and bags were among the best-sellers at the Abu Dhabi Art’s store.
The Beljafla sisters are a driving force in the growing market for traditional Arabic clothing with a slightly cheeky, contemporary twists. Stocked by Harrod’s, their flamboyant, elaborately draped abayas can often been seen at art and film opening nights across the Gulf.
kage was founded by former fashion marketers Arwa Abdelhadi and Basma Ghazaleh.
kage does vintage-inspired clothes with girly undertones and they do it well. Founded by two former fashion marketing managers, this young label is showing Dubai how to dress up without rolling out the bling.
Proposing a different approach to abaya design, Malaak’s current collection takes inspiration from 1920s movies. Sourced and produced in Dubai, this is 100% Emirati fashion.
From Lana Nahawi's autumn/winter 2010/2011 collection.
The words functional, wearable and cosy are not normally associated with women’s wear in the Gulf, but they neatly sum up Lana Nahawi’s designs, which offer a much-needed alternative for those of us who don’t want to traipse around in unfunctional, sparkly outfits.
One of Dubai’s most unconventional new labels, Naz Cannon’s first collection is stocked by Bullets & Butterflies and has already won over a ton of fans. His clever unisex pieces are equally popular with boys and girls.
The t-shirt label Wasta is doing well off online sales.
Another graphic designer successfully launching snazzy T-shirt collections, Hani Alireza is giving hope to Dubai’s menfolk, who have been deprived of a good selection of urban streetwear for too long.
Resources, platforms and events for the Dubai fashion scene:
A new concept store and fashion platform launched by graduate Yahya Stapic, due to open later in the year. Yahya has issued an open call for young designers to get in touch and see how the project could help to promote their work.
The UAE’s only full-time university-level fashion school of international repute.
A showcase of the best international and regional designers, this is Dubai’s most exciting fashion event of the year.
Now under new management, there is hope that the event will find its place on the international fashion week circuit. In the past, it suffered from a lack of planning and strategic vision.
London College of Fashion Short Course Program Dubai
The LCF’s excellent programme of short courses came to the UAE for the first time in 2010 and might well become an annual fixture. The next courses take place in May 2011.
