There has never been a more important time to show your love for Arab designers. As our Editor and Associate Publisher, Amy Sessions, said in ‘The Summer Escape Issue‘, at Emirates Woman we are “thinking globally and supporting locally” and this is a perfect example of how you can do just that.
Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA), the leading platform for nurturing regional talent, has partnered with e-commerce giant MATCHESFASHION to launch collection from the winning 2019 designers.
Now you can shop SS20 collections from Lebanese fashion brand Salim Azzam; Beirut-based tailoring genius Roni Helou; jewellery label Mukhi Sisters; shoe brand Zyne; and creative Egyptian handbag brand Sabry Marouf.
Establishing itself as the landmark prize in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Fashion Trust Arabia is a unique philanthropic initiative which focuses on scouting, funding and supporting design talent across the region.
The designers launching on MATCHESFASHION were the selected winners of the FTA 2019 Awards and selected by a panel of leading industry experts.
“What was unique for each of these brands is how proud they are of their heritage and how much this has influenced them,” said Natalie Kingham, MATCHESFASHION Fashion and Buying Director and member of the FTA Advisory Board.
“From the use of local artisans to inspiration from ancient artefacts and dress, we are excited to bring our customers into our journey of discovery with these designers and share their stories,” she adds.
In addition to receiving financial support of up to $200,000 from FTA (approximately Dhs734,000), designers were also part of a year-long mentorship program with the MATCHESFASHION buying team and brought to London and New York to participate in workshops with business leaders in content, communications, branding, sustainability, logistics and e-commerce. Sounds like exactly what any brand needs to go global.
The online store will continue to collaborate with FTA for the 2020 Awards as their global retail partner, and will be offering the mentorship program to the winning 2020 designers.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied
