Arab Fashion Council announces new strategic partnership

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Apr 24, 2017

The Arab Fashion Council has gained support from Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma AlMaktoum Investment (MBM), a Dubai-based Royal family office and investment holding company. The partnership recognises the council’s drive and vision to position the Arab fashion industry on a global level.

The Arab Fashion Council will continue to host its bi-annual Arab Fashion Week event in Dubai showcasing both regional and international talent. Now in its fourth season, the event will take place from 16-20 May at the Meydan Hotel. Marchesa, Antonio Marras, Jeremy Scott, LaQuan Smith, Rad Hourani, Renato Balestra and 20 further designers will present their latest collections at the event.

"We are thrilled to witness the achievement which the Arab Fashion Council (AFC) has made during the previous years by helping to position Dubai as one of the big five fashion capitals through hosting major events such as the Arab Fashion Week. We highly recognize their work and offer our full support to continue fostering the growth of regional talent and building a proper fashion industry infrastructure in the Middle East,” said Mesed Alhattawi, Head of Government Relations at the Private Office of H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum.

The Arab Fashion Council represents 22 Arab countries and aims to establish by 2030 a fashion pipeline in the Arab world. The London-based organisation was founded in 2014.

"Today marks an important milestone in the history of the Arab Fashion Council and we are honored to receive such a recognition by His Highness Office (MBM) for our continuous efforts to support, nurture and grow the regional fashion industry …” said Jacob Abrian, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council.

“We are very confident that our joint efforts will help us achieve our long-term vision for 2030 and successfully establish a fashion pipeline in the Arab world. We have immediately started intensive workshops to put in practice our vision hoping to announce it later this year during a dedicated event,” he added.

The organisation has been working closely with international experts to elevate and position the Arab Fashion Week alongside the other big four fashion weeks taking place in New York (NYFW), London (LFW), Milan (MFW) & Paris (PFW). The event not only hopes to promote regional talent but also to open the region to international designers.