International fashion icons and celebrities to attend 2nd edition of ‘Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience’

• Exclusive events and exhibitions open to the public will highlight international talents and designers
• Fashion Talks led by renowned fashion designers and icons; free registration for public
• Ciara, Elissa, Franca Sozzani, Philipp Plein, Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli, Suzy Menkes, JJ Martin, Peter Dundas, Soko, Latifa, Liya Kebede, Lira and Lola Lennox, amongst the celebrities and fashion icons to attend the event
• International fashion brands extend support with exclusive in-store activities held at The Dubai Mall

Curtains will go up on Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience (VFDE) 2014, the largest fashion event of its kind in the Middle East, on October 30, 2014 at 7pm, with an exclusive fashion show that will see the participation of international celebrities such as Ciara, Elissa and Latifa and renowned fashion designers and icons including Franca Sozzani, Philipp Plein, Roberto Cavalli, Peter Dundas and Suzy Menkes.

Organised by global property developer Emaar Properties and Vogue Italia, one of the world’s most influential fashion magazines, VFDE 2014 will be held until November 1 at The Dubai Mall and the Armani Hotel Dubai.

The three-day celebration of fashion will highlight the talent of international designers with an exclusive fashion show at The Dubai Mall Fashion Catwalk. VFDE 2014 also features a two-day International Talents Showcase and Fashion Talks led by celebrity designers and fashion icons at the Armani Hotel Dubai. Both events are open to the public. To attend the Fashion Talks, people will have to register at the dedicated website www.vfdebyemaar.com. Alongside, The Dubai Mall will host unique exhibitions from Italy as well as a wide range of in-store events organised by fashion retailers.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “The inaugural Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience played a pivotal role in demonstrating our commitment to the global fashion industry and elevating Dubai’s global fashion destination status. This year, with the unwavering support of Mrs Franca Sozzani from Vogue Italia and our valued sponsors, we aim to shine the spotlight on emerging creative talents and provide a platform for nurturing emerging designers from around the world. The second edition of Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience will provide Dubai’s visitors and residents an opportunity to listen to talks by internationally renowned designers and also view the creativity of a range of talented designers. The event further highlights the credentials of The Dubai Mall as the ultimate destination of choice for fashion.”

Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor in Chief, said: “Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience highlights the dynamic growth of Dubai as fashion capital. While celebrating the newest trends of the industry, today we are supporting the work of extremely talented young and emerging designers. Fashion needs new energies in order to present original perspectives, attitudes and aesthetics. The Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience is also a platform for experts and icons of the industry to interact with the next generation of designers. The future of fashion is set through such events.”

Fashion Show

VFDE 2014 will officially open with an exclusive fashion show at The Dubai Mall Fashion Catwalk on October 30 at 7pm. The show, celebrating the talent of eight international designers who will present their S/S 2015 collections, will be hosted by supermodel Karolina Kurkova.

The selected brands are: Asudari Studio by Lamia Asudari from Saudi Arabia, Christopher Esber from Australia, J. JS Lee by Jackie JS Lee from South Korea, Madiya Al Sharqi from the UAE, Miuniku by Tina Sutradhar and Nikita Sutradhar from India, No3 Design by Bushra Badri and Amira Al Khaja from the UAE, Stella Jean from Italy and Piccione Piccione by Salvatore Piccione from Italy.

Spotlight on Emerging Designers

An International Talents Showcase, open on October 31 and November 1, at the Ballroom of the Armani Hotel Dubai, will be the exclusive stage for 20 upcoming designers, selected by Vogue Italia and The Dubai Mall through a scouting contest.

The selected brands, presenting their women’s S/S 2015 collections, are: Anabela Chan from the UK, Astrid Sarkissian from France, Augustin Teboul by Odély Teboul and Annelie Augustin from France and Germany, Faiza Bouguessa from France/Algeria, Charline De Luca by Carlotta De Luca from Italy, Coliac by Martina Grasselli from Italy, Dora Abodi from Hungary, Endemage by Lubna and Nadia Al Zakwani from Oman, Eun-Jung Lee from South Korea, Heaven Tanudiredja from Indonesia, Hema Kaul from India, Hooked | HKD by Farah Nasri from Lebanon, i’Alave by Eva Lai from the USA, Marius Janusauskas from Belgium, Mies Nobis by Millicent Nobis from Australia, Omelya by Kostya Omelya from Ukraine, Reem Al Kanhal from Saudi Arabia, Sarah Angold Studio by Sarah Angold from the UK, Shamsa Alabbar from the UAE and Steven Tai from Canada.

Fashion Talks

Two sessions of exclusive Fashion Talks, led by international designers and fashion icons, are also among the highlights this year at VFDE, offering unique insights on tradition, innovation and achieving global success in the fashion industry.

The Fashion Talks will take place on October 31 and November 1 at the Armani Hotel Dubai and will be open to the public who will have to register at www.vfdebyemaar.com.

The first session will start on October 31 at 4pm with Franca Sozzani and Suzy Menkes to discuss the topic ‘A New Generation in Fashion;’ at 5pm Peter Dundas will cover the topic ‘Heritage Moving Forward’ and at 6pm, Philipp Plein, will close the session with his talk on ‘Excess/Success.’

On November 1, the session will start at 3pm with Alberta Ferretti who will present the theme ‘The Strength of Tradition,’ followed by Roberto Cavalli, at 4pm, speaking about ‘From Denim to Red Carpet,’ and concluding at 5pm with Sara Maino discussing the theme, ‘Scouting New Talents.’

High Profile Guests

The second edition of VFDE will see the participation of international designers and celebrities from the fashion and entertainment industries. They include: Roberto Cavalli, Alberta Ferretti, Philipp Plein, Peter Dundas, Ciara, Elissa, Emmanuelle Seigner, Latifa, Soko, Lira and Lola Lennox, among others.

Inspiring Exhibitions

Two unique fashion exhibitions, open to the public, are scheduled from October 30 to November 1. ‘The Italian Way,’ at The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, celebrates Italian style by gathering 80 looks from the most important fashion brands of the last decades. The craftsmanship and uniqueness, which have defined the ‘Made in Italy’ brand globally, will be celebrated through five design themes: Prints, Red Carpet, Embroidery & Appliqués, Black and Casual.

The second exhibition, taking place at the Bloomingdale’s Atrium, is dedicated to the 10th edition of ‘Who is on Next?’, a project organised by Altaroma in collaboration with Vogue Italia, to scout and promote new talents of the ‘Made in Italy’ brand. ‘Who is on Next?’ marks a decade of commitment in the promotion of brands exclusively produced in Italy and supporting local handcraft and manufacturing.

Further details on both exhibitions are available at www.vfdebyemaar.com.