UAE’s Leading Female Entrepreneurs Receive Exclusive Fashion Preview

A number of the UAE’s leading female entrepreneurs received an exclusive preview of the latest Alice and Olivia womenswear spring collection at a private cocktail event hosted in Dubai. Taking place at the alice + olivia Boutique, Fashion Avenue, First Floor at Dubai Mall, the special occasion has been organized in collaboration with Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, an initiative that comes under the umbrella of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, a premium forum for women business leaders in the country.

Among those participating at the event were Sheikha Shayma bint Hashr Al Maktoum, HE Ameera BinKaram, TV Presenter; Amira Al Fadhl and Stacey Bendet, the C.E.O. and founder of Alice and Olivia label. The evening soiree allowed the women attending to view and try on a stylish new kaftan, which had been designed and developed to promote and support the crafts of the MENASEA region in conjunction with Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, under the Nama Umbrella.

“Mutual support is the life-blood of entrepreneurship. Women who are keen to start their own businesses, or discover ways to expand their existing companies, benefit enormously from getting together to talk about their experiences. Alice and Olivia is a fantastic example of a successful female entrepreneur who actively supports and nurtures women in her workforce as well as wider International women initiatives like NAMA and the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council. This was a fantastic occasion that enabled just that and we congratulate alice + olivia’s success in producing their latest fashion piece for women in the region,” said HE Ameera BinKaram.

 “We were delighted to be able to attend the alice + olivia Boutique to view their beautifully designed new kaftan, which offers the region’s women a fashionable new addition to their wardrobes. Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, serves to assist the women skilled in the making of traditional heritage crafts, as well as those designers that are able to move them into a contemporary context. Events such as these are extremely important, as they allow all those involved with the Council to witness the tangible results of the service we provide women entrepreneurs in the region,” added BinKaram.

Operating under NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council aims are to assist women seeking to establish themselves within the luxury crafts and design markets by promoting their creativity and craftsmanship on a national, regional and International level. 

Stacey Bendet added “Female empowerment and being able to inspire women around the world to do what they love and have a career is such an important part of our mission as is making beautiful clothing.”

In addition to showcasing The alice + olivia Boutique’s new kaftan, the cocktail event formed the perfect opportunity for women attending to network, discuss their business ideas and share information about new developments. Its organisers said that informal meetings such as this were essential to allow for the cross-pollination of ideas that is vital for entrepreneurship to thrive.