Calling all fashion savvy, accessory artisans and designers – apply now for your place in ‘The Garden’ and showcase your unique products at Dubai’s most energetic and big-thinking fashion event of the year, Fashion Forward 2014.
Last October’s Fashion Forward saw the introduction of The Garden – a space dedicated to highlighting the Middle East’s emerging talent in accessory design and manufacturing, including everything from jewellery and handbags to products for the home. Having evolved from a mere Pop-up Shop a year ago to offering a platform for over 50 young designers in Season Two, there is little doubt Season Three will see an even bigger range of talent with an audience to match.
For potential exhibitors this is not merely an opportunity to hand out business cards, sell a couple of items and suss out the competition. The last Fashion Forward had 15,000 visitors over four days – an audience that included buyers, bloggers, local and international media and industry professionals as well as several notable international guest speakers including fashion designer Nanette Lepore, Simon Collins of Parsons and Stefan Siegel of Not Just A Label. With fashion shows, talks, panel discussions, media launches, a bookshop, The Garden and sizzling parties, Fashion Forward has cemented its role as an event dedicated to growing the local style industry through creativity, innovation and participation.
This opportunity to feature in The Garden is also particularly useful for new brands, those without standalone stores or online businesses as it gives designers the opportunity to interact with a focused, knowledgeable audience and get invaluable feedback. But it’s also not all just about rubbing shoulders with those in the know – last year’s stand holders netted in excess of US$200,000, which is more than enough incentive to head over to www.fashionforward.ae and apply for a stand. In order to qualify brands must be based in the Middle East or be of Middle East origin.
Fashion Forward Season Three with run from April 10-13, 2014.
