FFWD Earns Endorsement by Dubai Design and Fashion Council

Following six successful seasons of supporting the Middle East’s most sought-after apparel and accessories designers, Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD), the  progressive fashion platform has earned an official endorsement of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC), further boosting the platform’s presence within the regional fashion industry. 

For the seventh season, FFWD will also present its Autumn/Winter ’16 shows from a bespoke new location, as the event moves to Dubai Design District (d3). Furthering FFWD’s strategic partnership with d3, the upcoming season will be hosted at Hai d3 with a custom-built space to house the four-day event from 31st March- 3rd April, 2016.

“As showcased through the MENA Design Outlook, a ground-breaking study released by the Dubai Design and Fashion Council, design events act as a catalyst to driving regional innovation.  Initiatives like Fashion Forward Dubai are making a substantial contribution to this effort by offering regional designers the opportunity to enhance their creativity and providing a platform for emerging talent to propel their careers.  DDFC is proud to support Fashion Forward’s seventh edition and we look forward to an inspiring and creatively rich season” commented Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Chairperson, Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC). 

As well as building a new home for FFWD, the seventh edition of the platform will see the programme refined and improved to meet the needs of the growing fashion industry in the region.

Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, COO of Dubai Design District (d3) commented: “Dubai Design District has been a proud supporter of Fashion Forward since inception, and now as it enters its seventh season, will take place at Hai d3 in Dubai Design District for the first time. FFWD has become a true highlight of Dubai’s fashion calendar and the definitive platform for apparel and jewellery design in the Middle East.” 

FFWD will once again span four days with runway shows and presentations from the region’s leading talents in couture, ready to wear, jewellery and accessories.

Another mainstay of FFWD is the ‘d3 Fashion Talks’ – a series of panel discussions and presentations from esteemed international industry professionals. Previous speakers include: Steven Kolb, the CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA); the creator of New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis; international supermodel, Yasmin Le Bon; founder of The Sartorialist, Scott Schuman; and the founder and CEO of The Business Of Fashion, Imran Amed.

The event will take place in and around Hai d3, with custom-created tents housing two runways and two presentation spaces, the d3 Fashion Talks, diverse food and beverage stations, as well as dedicated event spaces for networking. 

 “Receiving the official endorsement from DDFC aligns FFWD with the vision of the Council and we are looking forward to working under their guidance as we continue to evolve the platform,” said Bong Guerrero, CEO and co-founder of FFWD. “We are also delighted to present Autumn/Winter ’16 from our new location at Hai d3. FFWD’s success so far would not have been possible without the support of our strategic partner, d3, and as Dubai’s hub for creativity and design, the space offers the ideal home for FFWD.

“These advancements for our seventh edition are a huge milestone for FFWD and an incredible step forward for the designers we support as well as the maturity of this platform upon which to showcase the Middle East’s exceptional design talent,” added Guerrero.