Season Two Brings Renowned Guests From Leading Global Institutions to the Must-Visit Fashionable Eid Event
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 23 September 2013: Fashion Forward (FFWD) furthers its commitment to fostering discussion and nurturing the region’s fashion industry by offering a formidable line up of international experts in this season’s d3 Fashion Talks. With the support of d3 (Dubai Design District), FFWD welcomes industry leaders in design, education, e-commerce, buying, manufacturing and media to Season Two. The d3 Fashion Talks will offer advice and generate debate through a series of carefully curated presentations and panel discussions.
“Instigating discussions and learning are integral parts of our vision for FFWD,” said Bong Guerrero, Founder and CEO of Fashion Forward. “With the recent governmental announcements regarding d3 and Fashion 2020, we have seen a surge in interest in the Middle East as a sustainable fashion hub. The d3 Fashion Talks this season offers the highest calibre experts from vital areas of the industry, whose advice will enhance the development of the region’s fashion industry going forward.”
Dr Amina Al Rustamani, Group CEO of TECOM Investments, the developers of Dubai Design District commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Fashion Forward to form the d3 Fashion Talks. This collaboration is part of our unwavering commitment to the successful development of the design and fashion industry in Dubai. Initiatives like this allow us to act as a bridge for knowledge sharing between industry experts, up and coming talent, and all those willing to learn in order to unlock the industry’s full potential.
The d3 Fashion Talks will run alongside the catwalk presentations throughout the four day event during Eid Al Adha, this October 15-18, giving exclusive insight into the workings of the global fashion industry, and how one can use this information to grow in the Middle East.
INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS AND BRANDS
In addition to the diverse programme of talented regional designers showing their collections this season, FFWD welcomes celebrated international designers, to offer their experience and insight to guest and emerging designers alike.
CFDA member and renowned designer Nanette Lepore will talk on “Crafting High Fashion: What it Takes to Manufacture Locally”. Known for her bold colours, evocative prints and signature silhouettes, Nanette Lepore has become one of the leading names in contemporary American fashion.
Fresh from London Fashion Week, following a hugely successful collaboration with Matthew Williamson, international jewellery brand Azza Fahmy join us at FFWD Season Two.
The Managing Director, Fatma Ghaly, will give a talk on “Going Global: Expanding your brand to new markets while preserving your identity.”
FFWD mentor and celebrated Lebanese designer, Rabih Kayrouz returns for Season Two, bringing with him not only his three Starch Foundation designers, who will show their collections on the runway, but will also mentor three additional designers throughout their FFWD experience, as well as hosting an industry panel.
Making his first ever visit to the region is the Chairman and CEO of iconic American label HALSTON, Ben Malka. He will be joined by fashion blogger and designer Ascia_AKF in a discussion on “Into the Modern Zone – How Heritage and The New Generation Drive Innovation”. The discussion will draw from Ben Malka’s wealth of expertise as a fashion industry veteran, and Ascia’s knowledge on the importance of digital marketing in the modern day. His visit to the region comes just weeks after the label launched its first ever HALSTON HERITAGE store in the Middle East in The Avenues in Kuwait, viagra on line pharmacy through the brand’s partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion. The discussion will be moderated by Asil Attar, CEO, Lead Associates. Malka will also bring with him to FFWD, a number of vintage HALSTON gowns, which he will unveil at an exclusive High Tea during the event.
BRAND BUILDING
Giving regional designers international commercial exposure is a key aim of FFWD and to encourage this, leading names in e-commerce, brand building and technology will be present for Season Two.
Former model and Not Just A Label (NJAL) founder Stefan Siegel will share his experiences on launching the site in a discussion on Creative Entrepreneurship. The online resource tool launched in 2008 and since then has kick-started the careers of many an unknown fashion talent by allowing up-and-coming designers to showcase their work through its dedicated portal and online shop. NJAL today maintains a database of over 6,000 emerging fashion designers from 88 countries.
Photographer Jonathan Bookallil has worked as a fashion and celebrity photographer in New York, London, Paris, Milan and Australia as well having been Elizabeth Hurley’s official photographer. He will talk at FFWD on “The Role of a Photographer as an Effective Visual Communication Tool to Build a Brand”.
MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY
Further to the incredible support given to FFWD designers from regional press, the quality of design talent in Season One also attracted great interest from international media. So much so that for Season Two, some of the most respected and relevant publications will travel to the region to give their support and expertise.
Photographer Kevin Tachman, who has covered fashion weeks the world over, brings to Dubai his expert eye and lens, capturing the catwalks of FFWD for Vogue.com.
Refinery29′s co-founder Philippe Von Borries will discuss ‘How to Build an Audience’ from his experience in launching the hugely popular fashion portal, and how since 2005, the site has grown to draw one billion page views per year.
The role of technology in the fashion industry will be discussed in a panel discussion hosted by d3. Danish Farhan, CEO and Founder of Xische Holdings, will discuss “Technology Disrupting Fashion“, debating how technological advances, social media engagement, crowd funding and online retailing is changing the fashion industry on a global level.
ACADEMIC PARTNERS
Leading academic institutions London College of Fashion and Domus Academy Fashion School build on their support from Season One, and are this season joined by Parsons The New School for Design, offering the expertise of their esteemed members and influential contacts.
Dean of Fashion from Parsons, Simon Collins, has worked with some of the world’s leading brands: Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Fila, Zegna, and Marks & Spencer. As creative director for Nike’s Asia Pacific division, he led a $900USD million apparel business that launched collections he created in collaboration with Junya Watanabe of Comme des Garcons, Naoki Takizawa of Issey Miyake, and others. At FFWD he will draw on this experience to talk on “Design Thinking: Creating Beautiful Solutions”.
London College of Fashion lecturer and experienced fashion journalist Paul Tierney will give two talks: ‘How to Make it as a Fashion Journalist’ and “The Rise of the Fashion Blogger: Digital vs Print”.
Head of Domus Academy Fashion School Milan, Barbara Trebitsch returns for Season Two and will give a presentation to guests on “Fashion Matrix – a Contemporary Approach to Fashion Design’.
Domus Academy will also bring with them Editor in Chief of Marie Claire Italia, Antonio Mancinelli. He will present “Made in Italy and global style setter”, covering the story of iconic Italian brands and the secrets to their international success.
About Fashion Forward (FFWD)
Fashion Forward (FFWD) is the definitive fashion platform for Dubai and the Middle East — a fashion movement which provides a platform and a progressive direction for fashion. Key components of FFWD include catwalk presentations by established and emerging designers in the Middle East and d3 Fashion Talks, to foster industry discussion.
About Dubai Design District
Dubai Design District, better known as D3, is dedicated to fostering the growth of the Emirate’s design, fashion and luxury industry. It offers businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals a creative community that will be at the very heart of the region’s design scene.
D3 is the newest of TECOM Investments’ free zone business parks – with 10 buildings currently under construction. Once complete, D3 will be a purpose built environment catering to the full value chain of the design, fashion and luxury industry – and all with the vision of creating a world class creative community that engages, nurtures and promotes local, regional and global design talent.
Press Information:
The Portsmouth Group
T: +971 4 369 3575
Kimberley Brooke kimberley.brooke@theportsmouthgroup.com
Nerry Toledo nerry.toledo@theportsmouthgroup.com
For media enquiries relating to d3 (Dubai Design District) please contact:
Bell Pottinger
Sam Turvey sturvey@bell-pottinger.com
Tel: +971 555597383
Maitha Al Suwaidi
Tel: +97150 4741417
© Press Release 2013
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