Proving the importance of Fashion Forward as a successful platform for local talent, there are 19 ready-to-wear designers that will present their latest collections at the prestigious three-day event.
Fashion Forward Season Five presents the most diverse line-up of brands to date, with the introduction of presentations as well as catwalk shows, offering an alternative way for collections to be shown.
Meet the ready-to-wear designers presenting collections at Fashion Forward Season Five:
AIISHA RAMADAN
Lebanese designer Aiisha Ramadan makes her FFWD debut at Season Five. Far from traditional, the label is the epitome of modern design. The beautifully crafted garments speak to the feminine woman of both worlds. With an impressive celebrity following, AIISHA RAMADAN has gained international popularity. www.aiisha.com
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 5pm in Hall 3
AMBER FEROZ
Indian designer Feroz launched his eponymous brand in 2004. His Dubai-based label produces collections specialising in women’s eveningwear and daywear including Abayas. Season Five will be his first season showcasing at FFWD. www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Feroz
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 4.30pm in Hall 1
ARWA AL BANAWI
Arwa Al Banawi is a smart-casual brand for women and men. The brand focuses on redefining the classic look of the suit by experimenting with fresh prints and bold colours. www.arwaalbanawi.com/
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 1pm in Hall 1
BOUGUESSA
Showing for the first time at FFWD, French-Algerian designer Faiza Bouguessa will present her latest collection of luxury Abayas. Drawing inspiration from art, architecture and global culture, BOUGUESSA combines straight-lined designs with elegant sophistication. Each design exudes a spirit of true lightness creating a new and fresh identity of the Abaya. www.bouguessa.com
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 4.30pm in Hall 1
DANEH (in association with The British Council)
Saudi label DANEH shows this April for the first time at FFWD. Designer Daneh Buahmad’s driving force is to create wearable chic statements. Easy to wear pieces 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. www.danehfashion.com
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 2.30pm in Hall 2
DIMA AYAD
Having showcased at Seasons One, Two and Four, Dubai-based label DIMA AYAD returns to the FFWD runways this April. Lebanese designer Ayad launched her unique brand of eveningwear in 2010 and strives to provide women with “fashion that makes you feel good”. www.dimaayad.com
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 8pm in Hall 3
HASHE
Dubai-based Iranian designer Ava Hashemi creates structured high-end ready-to-wear clothing and accessory lines for women who intend to embrace sophistication and class, whilst staying on trend. Season Five will be HASHE’s second season at FFWD after debuting last October. www.houseofhashe.com
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 2.30pm in Hall 2
HUSSEIN BAZAZA
Lebanese designer Hussein Bazaza first showed at FFWD Season One as part of The Starch Foundation. Bazaza, also a Teaching Professor of Fashion Design at ESMOD Beirut, returns to the FFWD runways this April to show his latest collection. Bazaza’s pieces are known for drawing inspirations, where every cut reflects a different story, a personal emotion that creates a one of a kind experience – fashion with a soul. www.husseinbazaza.com
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 8.30pm in Hall 2
HOUSE OF NOMAD
Making their FFWD debut, HOUSE OF NOMAD is an innovative fashion brand based in Dubai and co-founded by two creative individuals; Ahmed El-Sayed & Saleh Al-Banna. The label is based on the premise of a Nomad: a wanderer with no geographic boundaries, living in perpetual motion from one temporary dwelling to another. A prominent feature throughout all their collections is the use of Arabic calligraphy, which the designers have used to proudly assert their cultural DNA. www.house-of-nomad.com
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 8pm in Hall 3
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 are made to be worn by independent and passionate women. Season Five is her first time showing at FFWD. www.lamajouni.com
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 2pm in Hall 3
MADIYAH AL SHARQI
Returning for her third season at FFWD, Emirati designer Sheikha Madiyah Al Sharqi offers effortless eveningwear with an updated edge, evolving the traditional vision of elegance. Sharqi is the daughter of the Ruler of Fujairah, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. www.madiyahalsharqi.com
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 6.30pm in Hall 1
MARAL
Iranian designer Maral Yazaloo launched her label MARAL in Paris, before taking it to Rome and is now based in India. Fusionwear characterises her collections as she maintains the balance between modernity and culture. Her collections are a beautiful blend of Middle Eastern aesthetics, Asian tastes and Western flavour. Season Five is her second season showing at FFWD. www.maralyazarloo.com
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 5.30pm in Hall 2
MAUZAN
Showing for the first time at FFWD this April, Founder and Designer and UAE National Rafia Helal Bin Drai, launched MAUZAN in 1990. The label’s fashion creations speak to women and celebrate the Abaya and Sheila as powerful expressions of a woman’s individuality. www.mauzan.com
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 8.30pm in Hall 2
Sarkis Dersahagian’s label ARDASHES
Nour Najem’s eponymous label
Under the mentorship of Rabih Kayrouz, the Starch Foundation has presented their chosen designers at each edition of FFWD, to great acclaim. The designers this season are Sarkis Dersahagian with his label ARDASHES, and Nour Najem who presents her eponymous label. Joe Arida showcases his brand LA TERRE EST FOLLE and accessories designer Yasmine Jaber will also present her brand EXOCET. www.starchfoundation.org
Joe Arida will showcase his brand LA TERRE EST FOLLE
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 2pm in Hall 3
SAID MAHROUF
Moroccan-born, Said Mahrouf studied fashion design both in Holland and New York. He presented his first prêt-à-porter collection in 1999 to international acclaim and in 2000 he started his own performance company in Amsterdam. Mahrouf’s love of costume design, artistry and partiality to feminine elegance defines his collections. Mahrouf will show for the second time at FFWD this April, after presenting at Season Three. www.saidmahrouf.nl
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 5.30pm in Hall 2
TALLER MARMO (presented by Gabs)
Showing for their fourth consecutive season at FFWD, 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. www.tallermarmo.com
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 5pm in Hall 3
THE EMPEROR 1688
The Golkar brothers return to FFWD for their fifth consecutive season to showing their stand-out luxury mens and womenswear. The British- Iranian trio set up the label in 2007 and are based in Dubai. Their collections combine exquisite tailoring, with regal prints and classic cuts made of the finest European fabrics. www.theemperor1688.com
Showing on April 10, 2015 at 9.30pm in Hall 1
THREE FIFTY NINE
Egyptian label THREE FIFTY NINE (359) aims to introduce wearable art collections that are inspired from art pieces and patterns with crisp colours, edgy graphic prints and playful sophistication. Season Five will be their FFWD debut. www.threefiftynine.co
Showing on April 12, 2015 at 1pm in Hall 1
YOUSEF AL JASMI
Jennifer Lopez in a Yousef Al-Jasmi creation
Originally from Kuwait, Owner of Yousef Al-Jasmi Haute Couture, Al Jasmi began designing at the age of 17. In 2008, Al Jasmi opened his first boutique in Kuwait to provide his clientele with an unrivalled array of hand-stitched designs and intricately detailed creations and has since amassed an army of international celebrity clients.
Showing on April 11, 2015 at 3.30pm in Hall 1
Fashion Forward Season Five will run from April 10 – 13
