Arab Fashion Week

Photo: Instagram.com/weinsanto
Victor Weinsanto, the creative force behind his eponymous brand, brought his sartorial excellence to Day 3 of Dubai Fashion Week of FW23.  The young designer, who launched his brand in 2020 was originally a dancer and is known for his playful spirit – his shows are often full of theatrics and drama that can only come from a deep seeded love for performance art.
Before going out on his own, Weinsanto had worked at renowned brands such as Y/project and Chloé but his greatest experience came from working for two years with Jean Paul Gaultier, another designer known for his ability in transcending boundaries while having fun with fashion. Weinsanto often finds inspiration in live entertainment and art, choosing his muses and friends from creative backgrounds as models and even collaborating with some.
This designer who launched his debut collection in Paris under the watchful eye of fashion royalty such as Simon Porte Jacquemus and Adrian Joffe is now ready to present his colorful creations to everyone in Dubai.

Read on to know all about Weinsanto’s Dubai Fashion Week FW23 show.
Tell us a bit about your collection being showcased at Dubai Fashion Week.The collection I will be showcasing in Dubai is called ‘The Life we deserve… or not’. It is all about love and achievements. The base print is made by my best friend and artist Romain Eugene Campens and is a really good representation of what I love. It’s colorful but also really abstract. The shapes are both huge and fitted and you will also find a lot of corsetry that I love.

What kind of woman are your designs made for?My designs are made for strong personalities but I genuinely would love to see a lot of different women wearing my designs. I love when my best friend and my mum love the same piece. That means to me that the brand can represent a lot of people. My clients are coming from a lot of different places in the world and are often completely different, I love that!

How does it feel to be a part of the inaugural Dubai Fashion Week?
It’s a huge honor to be part of the inaugural Dubai Fashion Week! I am extremely grateful to the council for trusting me and allowing me to showcase my work in Dubai. I love the culture here but what I love even more is that Dubai is now a major city for fashion and creativity.

The cast of your show also features Tunisian model Ameni Esseibi. What makes her an ideal fit for Weinsanto?Ameni inspires me so much and is such an inspiration for so many women in the world. I love her because she is fierce but also because she is a really kind person. She deserves the world and I am grateful to see her in my design. We definitely need way more diversity on the runways.

Name one regional and international celebrity you would love to see in your designs.It’s hard to choose one so I would say two. I would love to see Rihanna and Beyoncé wearing one of my designs.What’s next for your brand?We will soon discover what is next but hopefully something great. I would love to do more collaborations and grow our retailers. I love not knowing what is gonna be next. It is scary and exciting at the same time. Fingers crossed.Read Next: Everything to Know About the Upcoming Dubai Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023/24

Furne One. Photo: Jeremy Zaessinger
The much-awaited Dubai Fashion Week FW23 is finally here and Amato Couture is ready to celebrate its avant-garde spirit and renowned artistry at a show titled ‘Untainted’.
Amato Couture was born when award-winning Filipino designer Furne One happened to meet a Pakistani textile boutique owner, Rashid Ali, in a Dubai that was just starting to become the cosmopolitan it is today. Ali has always had a passion for rare textiles, a love that allowed him to come into contact with the biggest designers and fashionistas in Dubai. Combining this knowledge of what people in the region really wanted with Furne One’s creative genius, the two were able to create a design house loved in the region and beyond.

Read on to know all about Amato Couture’s Dubai Fashion Week FW23 show.
Tell us more about the collection being showcased at Dubai Fashion Week. 
Amato will stick to its DNA – edgy, avant-garde, mystical, theatrical, and most of all – full of wits and drama. I want to celebrate my artistry as well as the artists that work behind the scenes. Our city thrives on fashion because of the people that work tirelessly to cut, stitch, and embellish the dress. These are skilled workers who have a passion for arts and crafts.
I will play around my strengths and you will see the best pieces that we have produced over the past years in the business. All my iconic pieces and silhouettes will be shown in this collection. The collection is entitled ‘Untainted’.
They will see the arts and craftsmanship that I and my team are putting to create these masterpieces. I want to highlight the artistry of those beautiful dresses and as always, this is what Amato Couture has been championing since the very beginning.
What kind of woman are your designs made for? 
Amato women are never afraid of the dictates of fashion. She clearly knows herself and will never doubt her choices. Brave, bold, yet benevolent. She is someone who will stand out in a crowd with utmost pride and dignity. She is playful yet passionate. She is feminine yet dominant. She is provocative yet inspiring.

How does it feel to be a part of the inaugural Dubai Fashion Week?
Dubai Fashion Week means a lot to me being a heritage brand that originally came from the depths of this magnificent city. My brand is a product of Dubai which I established more than 25 years ago. Fast forward, here we are with a momentous achievement in the fashion world, stamping this city in the global fashion scene as one of the most eclectic fashion hubs of the world.
This new chapter means growth while celebrating the roots. We are here today because of the people who worked hard before us. So I believe the Dubai Fashion Week is a celebration of this incredible milestone as well as introducing new regional talents to a wider global audience.
Name one regional and international celebrity you would love to see in your designs. 
I would love to see HM Queen Rania of Jordan and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser wear my creations as these iconic women are just so fashionable. Everything they wear looks magical.
For international celebrities, I want to see younger stars wearing my dresses such as Zendaya, and Lily Collins, and pop stars such as Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and many more.
What’s next for Amato Couture? 
I often get this question in all of my interviews but I think the right answer here at this moment is I want to enjoy and celebrate where the Amato brand is right now. We have been working tirelessly since 25 years ago to make our name on the global scene and we have achieved it successfully – international shows, celebrity clientele, and global media exposure. Now with the changing dynamic of consumer behaviors, a wide array of channels for fashion influencing and the economical situation of the world, I think what’s next for me is to keep my creativity flowing and be inspired by the craft that I decided to make my life and career. However, a lot of things are definitely in the pipeline, so you better watch out.
Read Next: The Incredible Men Behind Amato, Ezra Couture, and Michael Cinco Talk About Maximalism in Fashion

Photo: Instagram.com/michael5inco
The official schedule for Dubai Fashion Week is finally here, and residents are gearing up for one of the most significant sartorial extravaganzas in the region. The event, which was announced in early February this year has been launched by the Arab Fashion Council in collaboration with Dubai Design District and will be taking place from March 10-15.
This sure-to-be memorable Dubai Fashion show follows the success of past events such as the Arab Fashion Week and International Fashion Week Dubai, which have showcased designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Iris Van Herpen. Expect to see the most exquisite men’s, women’s, ready-to-wear, and couture collections coming down the runway as the region’s fashion crowd descends upon Dubai.
Following in the footsteps of global fashion capitals – Paris, Milan, New York, and more – Dubai Fashion Week is set to provide a platform for both emerging and established designers. From international names like Weinsanto and Francesca Libertore to more regional brands such as the Lebanese designer Bazaza or streetwear authority B Hype, this event is going to have it all. Keeping in line with the culture of the region, designs on the runway are sure to reflect its affinity for modest wear so for those on the lookout for a “Dubai modest fashion week”, this Dubai fashion show will have something for everyone.

With just one week to go, check out Dubai Fashion Week Fall/Winter 23-24 schedule below.
March 10, 2023 – Mens
Amato Retrospective
6:00 pm – H1, Dubai Design District (d3)
Maison Du Mec 
7:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Mok 
7:30 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Anomalous x Hot Wheels 
8:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
B Hype 
9:00 pm – The Block, Dubai Design District (d3)
March 11, 2023 – Men’s
House of Victor 
6:00 pm – H1, Dubai Design District (d3)
The Whales 
7:00 pm – H2, Dubai Design District (d3)
American Rag 
8:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Temma Prasetio 
8:30 pm – H1, Dubai Design District (d3)
Emergency Room 
9:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
March 12, 2023 – Women
Lili Blanc 
6:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Pipatchara 
7:30 pm – H2, Dubai Design District (d3)
Weinsanto 
8:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Late for work
8:30 pm – H2, Dubai Design District (d3)
March 13, 2023 – Women’s
BLSSD
7:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Ivodia London 
7:30 pm – H2, Dubai Design District (d3)
Lilo 
8:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Francesca Liberatore 
8:30 pm – H1, Dubai Design District (d3)
Slimi Studio 
9:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Bazaza 
10:00 pm – Dubai Design District (d3)
March 14, 2023 – Women’s
Dima Ayad 
7:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Pressiat 
8:00 pm – H2, Dubai Design District (d3)
Lama Jouni
8:30 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Mrs Keepa 
10:00 pm – Digital on the Maison’s Social
March 15, 2023 – Couture
Marmar Halim 
7:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Karolina K.
8:00 pm – H2, Dubai Design District (d3)
Lamia Abi Nader 
8:30 pm – H1, Dubai Design District (d3)
Michael Cinco 
10:00 pm – United Hall, Dubai Design District (d3)
Read Next: Everything to Know About the Upcoming Dubai Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023/24

Photo: Courtesy of Arab Fashion Council
Arab Fashion Week is set to feature international designers in its lineup for the first time. Returning on October 10 to Dubai Design District (d3), the six-day showcase will present women’s Fall/Winter 22/23 couture and Spring/Summer 2023 ready-to-wear collections from over 35 designers from the MENA region, as well as Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The designers hail from over 23 countries, including Mexico, Nicaragua, Thailand, Malaysia and Ukraine which are participating for the first time, alongside India, Indonesia, Vietnam, France, the UK, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Paraguay, and Belarus.
The Giving Movement
The week will kick off on a high note by honoring Barbie, the 2021 recipient of the Fashion Icon Award, at a special event that will see Lebanese couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji unveil his collaboration with the doll. The Barbie brand has previously partnered on similar collections with Balmain and Moschino. Other highlights of the event include UAE-based eco-conscious brand The Giving Movement debuting its new clothing line named FiftyMade on the runway, and Atelier Forger being the first Syrian label to showcase at Arab Fashion Week. What’s more. La Fédération de laHaute Couture et de la Mode, the French body responsible for coordinating Paris Fashion Week, will once again present Paris-based label Weinsanto.
Weinsanto
“We are proud, with our strategic partner the Arab Fashion Council, to announce the line-up for this autumn’s Arab Fashion Week, which will be by far, the largest edition to date with more than 35 designers set to hit the runway over the six-day event – from all corners of the world,” says Khadija Al Bastaki, vice president of d3. Mohammed Aqra, chief strategy officer of the Arab Fashion Council, says: “The Arab Fashion Council is focused on its ardent mission to build strategies and bridge the divide between international companies and regional ones – structured in a way that supports the Council’s mission dedicated to fostering and supporting the global trajectories of our local talent and businesses that represent our creative heartlands.”
Read Next: This Newly Signed Memorandum Will Empower the Saudi Fashion Industry and Designers

Arab Fashion Week has closed its fall/winter 2021/22 season, broadcasted as a virtual edition in collaboration with Microsoft, exclusively on Instagram and Facebook. Being the only platform in the Middle East that promotes “ready couture,” Arab Fashion Week has grown in popularity since its beginning in 2015, having showcased 26 designers worldwide this season. The virtual shows paid homage to many talented brands from the region, including Ihab Jiryis, Jean Charles Zakaria, and Zaid Farouki among others.
Read on for our selection of the best Arab designers that participated below:
1. NOHMA

Known for being the first architect/designer in the region to create buildable multi-purpose jewelry; Nohma Kaaki presented her latest jewelry line “Celestial Module”, inspired by architectural lines redefined in geometric modular forms.
2. Jean-Charles Zakaria

Lebanese designer Jean Charles Zakaria debuted his collection “Vitality” that included 12 vibrant evening gowns, in a vibrant palette of orange, red, black yellow, and pink. Gowns were crafted in lavish fabrics such as chiffon, silk, and muslin, with the addition of intricate hand embroidery.
3. Euphoria

The Emirati brands capsule collection, “La Dolce Vita” was inspired by the 1960s film directed by Federico Fellini, featuring voluminous shapes in a harmonious neutral color palette, showcased in DIFC.
4.  Zaid Farouki

The rising Jordanian designer, collaborated with BIC; showcasing a fun, bold, and functional collection created to reflect the modern man and women, with a predominately primary color palette of bold red, blue and yellow, based on human expression.
5. Ihab Jiryis

The Palestinian designer known for his exquisite couture gowns, presented “Between Reality and Imagination,” a collection that displayed a contradiction of elements with intricate cutting techniques, offset by detailed embroidery and beadwork.
Read Next: These Brazilian Designers Stunned at Arab Fashion Week