Designers Announced For Fashion Forward Season 7

It may be in its seventh season, but Fashion Forward shows no signs of an itch. In fact it is flourishing with the list of new designers showcasing at this year’s event proving its relationship with style is bigger than ever.

We’re already excited that the event will be taking place at a new location – Hai d3 in Dubai Design District (d3) – and now, with the announcement of the following designers, we’re just waiting for it all to begin. Bring on FFWD7.

Meet the designers showcasing at Fashion Forward Season 7 between March 31 to April 3.:

AMATO BY FURNE ONE

Designer Furne One

Known for his natural ability to craft extravagant and artistic designs, Dubai-based designer Furne One has rapidly worked his way up the fashion ladder, and is celebrated both regionally and internationally for his impressive couture creations – Katy Perry is one of his many celeb fans. While renowned for her couture work, this season will see the second collection from One’s accessible line.

Amato’s runway at FFWD SIx

ARMY OF 1

Army Of 1 spring/summer 2016 campaign

Understated, cool and everyday luxury is Army of 1’s ethos. Designed for the modern woman the collections include an edgy mix of high-end knits and technical fabrics. The Army Of 1 woman is internationally minded, independent, confident and strong.

Army Of 1 spring/summer 2016 collection

BEDOUIN

Designer Andraya Farrag,

Designed and developed by Central Saint Martins’ graduate Andraya Farrag, BEDOUIN is a contemporary womenswear label that aspires to create flattering, easy-to-wear collections with a confident, spontaneous style. The minimalistic clean design remains flattering and adaptable, allowing BEDOUIN to become the go-to brand in every woman’s wardrobe.

Bedouin spring/summer 2016 collection

BOUGUESSA

Designer Faiza Bouguessa

Faiza Bouguessa is a French-Algerian born fashion designer and the founder of Dubai-based label, Bouguessa. Through her designs, she merges the latest fashion trends to modest fashion. Her work is inspired by art, architecture and global culture, and her signature designs lie in highly modern silhouettes.

Bouguessa spring/summer 2016 collection

DANEH

Designer Daneh Buahmad

Saudi designer Daneh Buahmad’s driving force is to create wearable chic statement pieces. Easy to wear looks come together to make for timeless basics with a twist of urban luxury. Wild yet basic, classic yet innovative, her fresh and feminine twist makes for a playful outfit base.

Daneh spring/summer 2016 collection

DEE BY DALIA

Designer Dalia Ali

Dubai-based label Dee By Dalia was created by Dalia Ali who takes inspiration from her personal loves: vintage items, butterflies and ballerinas. The label offers fun, playful pieces with a twist of Dalia’s own personality and style. This season is Ali’s FFWD debut.

Dee By Dalia was created by Dalia Ali

HUSSEIN BAZAZA

Designer Hussein Bazaza

Lebanese designer Hussein Bazaza is known for his intricate pieces where every cut reflects a different story, a personal emotion that creates a one of a kind experience. He is also a professor at ESMOD, Beirut.

Hussein Bazaza’s Luna Fall collection

JELENA BIN DRAI

Designer Jelena Bin Drai

Serbian-born Jelena Bin Drai, a former model, and now a reputed fashion designer in the UAE, creates beautiful bespoke gowns that transcend both East and Western cultures.

One of Jelena Bin Drai’s creations

KRISTINA FIDELSKAYA

Designer Kristina Fidelskaya

Mixing vintage styles with her current cultural fascinations, Dubai-based designer Kristina’s eponymous label effortlessly creates elegant and timeless clothes that speak to every woman. Her collections symbolise the power and independence of the modern woman.

Kristina Fidelskaya spring/summer 2016 collection

LAMA JOUNI

Designer Lama Jouni

The eponymous label of the Paris-based, Lebanese designer produces high-end ready-to-wear. Jouni moved to Paris in 2007 to pursue her designing career, and launched her own label in 2013. Her pieces have discernible and inspiring cultural referents, in outlines or details, and are made to be worn by independent and passionate women.

Creation by Lama Jouni

KAGE

Designer Basma Abu Ghazaleh

Dubai-based label KAGE, designed by Basma Abu Ghazaleh, launched in 2009 and offers edgy ready-to-wear womenswear.

Kage spring/summer 2016 collection

MIRA HAYEK

Designer Mira Hayek

After interning at the ateliers of Elie Saab in Beirut and Erdem in London, Beirut-based designer Mira Hayek was selected by the Starch Foundation in Beirut to launch her first ready-to-wear collection in 2011. The brand is dedicated to dynamic women with an effortless sense of style.

Mira Hayek spring/summer 2016 collection

NASIBA HAFIZ

Designer Nasiba Hafiz

Nasiba is considered one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful and coveted designers of womenswear, available at outlets throughout the Kingdom. Her collections reflect a love of colour, with design elements often inspired by vintage fabrics and styles.

Creation by Nasiba Hafiz

ORKALIA

ORKALIA designer Orchid Ganji

A couture house and ready-to-wear brand based in Dubai, ORKALIA’s aesthetic represents timeless elegance infused with modern sophistication.

ORKALIA spring/summer collection

PEARLA

PEARLA collection

Established by Emirati designers Hessa and Fatma Ali Aljoker, Pearla is a Dubai- based brand that creates conceptual ready-to-wear garments.

PEARLA collection

SALTA

Designer Saltanat Baimukhamedov

Kazakhstani designer Saltanat Baimukhamedova founded her label SALTA in 2008. In 2016 the label relocated to Dubai, UAE, furthering Saltanat’s aim to become a Middle Eastern designer with global vision. The label offers freedom and comfort yet with a touch of modern ethnic creativity.

SALTA spring/summer collection

SOLTANA COUTURE

Designer Fatma Ben Soltane

Showing for the first time at FFWD, Tunisian designer Fatma Ben Soltane creates pieces to make every woman feel strong, powerful, self-confident, independent and well cultured.

SOLTANA COUTURE creations

SOTRA

Sotra spring/summer 2016 collection

Jeddah-based label Sotra makes its FFWD debut. Designed by Saudi designer Nouf Hakeem, in collaboration with her partner Mariam bint Mahfooz, the brand creates collections that focus on juxtaposing modern cuts with playful feminine details.

Sotra spring/summer 2016 collection

STARCH FOUNDATION

Under the mentorship of Rabih Kayrouz, the Starch Foundation has presented their chosen designers at each edition of FFWD, to great acclaim.

The three designers this season are:

BASHAR ASSAF

Bashar Assaf creation

Beirut-based Lebanese fashion designer and Starch alumni, Assaf’s garments accentuate the female body with sophisticated yet demure silhouettes.

Perverse Concept

Lebanese designer Lobnan Mahfouz graduated from ESMOD in 2011 and following several internships around the world, launched /Pər’vərs/ in 2015. It is a unisex and aseasonal brand that provides distinctive pieces targeting venturous individuals around the globe inspired by the melting pot of genders and ethnic backgrounds.

SALIM AZZAM

Designer Salim Azzam

A Lebanese illustrator and designer, Azzam is inspired by enacting social change through collaborating with communities. He works with local craftswomen who embroider his designs and illustrations onto shirts and dresses. Through their work, these women will tell their own stories.

TALLER MARMO

Design duo Riccardo Audisio and Yago Goicoechea

Taller Marmo are Dubai-based design duo Riccardo Audisio and Yago Goicoechea. The label merges European elegance with Middle Eastern charm and uses fine Italian tailoring with a minimal approach, fused with Arabic traditions.

Taller Marmo at FFWD 2015

THREE FIFTY NINE

Designer Marwa

The Egyptian label aims to introduce wearable art collections that are inspired from art pieces and patterns with crisp colours, edgy graphic prints and playful sophistication.