International Dubai Fashion Week 2018 (iDFW), the world’s unique, regional event, was held at the Palazzo Versace Dubai on April 26th and 27th and was attended by a large number of VIP personalities, elite members of the art and media industry, and famous social media celebrities.
The event was sponsored by leading luxury retailer Paris Gallery, Velvet Magazine, a leading luxury fashion, beauty and lifestyle publication, Bita & Nakisa, and Heart in a Box, the luxury florist and chocolatier boutique. International Dubai Fashion Week 2018 hosted fashion shows, talk shows, a trade bazaar and a splendid gathering of socialites and celebrities.
International Dubai Fashion Week 2018 revealed itself with a new and innovative identity where the list of attendees had been expanded, as well as the exhibitors with their unique exhibitions.
A unique side to the event is that it hosted the world’s famous local and global fashion designers, including Her Highness Sheikha Hend Bint Faisal Al Qassemi’s luxury fashion brand ‘House Of Hend’, international fashion designer Walid Atallah, Bita & Nakisa, University of Sharjah (College of Arts and Design), Junne Couture, Emmanuel Haute Couture, Mouza Bin Drai as well as Maitha Designs, Maison de Sophie, By Al Muna, Apple Wang, Mursak Fashion House and Angelina Haute Couture.
Sheikha Hend Bint Faisal Al Qassemi, Chairman of the Advisory Board and Board Member of the Dubai Fashion and Design College, and owner of Velvet HQ – the organizer of International Dubai Fashion Week – spoke about the importance of this global event as it brings together on the same platform the world’s famous designers and young, budding designers, thus giving them the golden opportunity of exposure to the fashion world.
She mentioned that International Dubai Fashion Week 2018 opens the gates of creativity in the Arab world and will continue to support certified design schools, offering talented students a pedestal to present their designs to the world. Graduates from Sharjah University, College of Fashion & Design and other certified design schools now have a unique opportunity to showcase their fashion pieces on the international catwalk.
The first day of the event began with a valuable speech from Sheikha Hend Al Qassemi who welcomed guests and others from the art and media sectors. Sheikha Hend emphasized on the importance of this event and its role in the display of exclusive products, including its role in supporting and enriching fashion in the region. This inspiring woman is always keen to support talented young fashion designers. She invited all parties to initiate this important step, which will lead to the prosperity of fashion regionally and globally.
A talented fashion designer, Angelina, inaugurated the shows with her distinctive collection of 20 designs that varied in fabric and embroidery that suits the taste of all elegant women.
The second show was by Maitha of ‘Maitha Designs,’ who introduced her collection under the name of ‘Eleganza Collection.’ Maitha, presented 10 designs that used the finest lace fabric, embroidered with Swarovski crystals. She expressed her happiness in participating in this beautiful event, saying, “I thank Sheikha Hend Bint Faisal Al Qassemi for this opportunity, and for this amazing event that adds a lot to the fashion world in Dubai.”
Moving on to the old streets of France where elegance and fine art takes precedence, the third show was by Maison De Sophie, under the title ‘Ancient France.’ The collection consisted of 15 designs inspired by the ancient French environment, which is the symbol of art and inspiration. Maison De Sophie stated that International Dubai Fashion Week is a global event that brings along designers and media professionals from all over the world and that is what distinguished it from other fashion events in Dubai.
The fourth show took us to a unique world filled with magic and elegance. Walid Atallah, the international fashion designer, surprised the audience as usual with his dazzling collection of 12 wedding dresses, each characterized by sophistication and luxury. Atallah used Italian fabric handcrafted with Swarovski stones in addition to tulle, Taffeta, and French lace. Atallah’s main goal with this collection was to help the bride get all that she dreamt of on her wedding night. Atallah also said, “I am a close friend of Sheikha Hend Bint Faisal Al Qassemi, and I am a big fan of her ideas that support the development of the fashion world, as well as her continuous encouragement for young designers.”
The fifth show was a collaboration of two famous and talented designer, Bita & Nakisa, who presented their collection of 12 designs under the title ‘Unicorn’ using fabrics such as velvet, chiffon, georgette, satin, organza, taffeta and crepe.
The sixth and final show of the day was by Al Muna to wrap up the first day of the International Dubai Fashion Week 2018. She introduced her special collection ‘Pastel’ which consisted of 10 pieces inspired by the simplicity of the countryside. The fabrics she used were crepe, embroidered with flowers and sequins that gave each design a different taste of elegance.
The success of the International Dubai Fashion Week 2018 continued on to the second day starting with Junne Couture. Her collection’s name, ‘(H)elena,’ was inspired by the Greek goddess of moonlight — independent, sophisticated, and representing positivity and beauty. This collection was made up of 24 designs of silk and organza, embroidered with handcrafted crystals and sequin, as well as using feathers in many distinctive pieces.
The second show was from the students of the University of Sharjah (College of Arts and Design) which strongly impressed the audience as well as Sheikha Hend Al Qassemi. Their fascinating collections left a mark on stage, each student presenting 6 innovative pieces that reflected their personality and vision.
‘Victoria,’ is the name of the collection, presented by Apple Wang, who used the finest types of Italian and French fabrics handcrafted with Swarovski stones and pearls.
Mouza Bin Drai, came in next, presenting her ‘SS18’ collection with 10 special designs as a reflection of political, economic and cultural changes of the society, with an expression of modernity.
‘Mursak Fashion House’ then took us on a journey to the East through the new collection ‘Sparkling East’ that included 20 designs made of shoi-silk and velvet. The designs reflected Uzbek’s exceptional culture.
Emmanuel Haute Couture and her new collection ‘The Ocean dream’ embodied the essence of divine femininity, as it represented a bridge between the physical world and soul. The collection consisted of 12 designs, varying between silk chiffon, tulle, French laces, opulent beads and Swarovski stones. Every design symbolized ancient beauty, with both serenity and power.
The fashion show ended with a majestic performance by a strong and confident woman who gave us the sensation of power, success and inspiration with her great vision and plans for the future. Sheikha Hend Bint Faisal Al Qassemi with her luxury brand ‘House of Hend’ introduced to us her exquisite collection ‘Spring Blossom,’ which included 21 designs that told a story of a young blossom in the springtime maturing into a magnificent, vibrant and stunning flower. The fabrics she used were feminine, fun and elegant to suit all women of traditional and western tastes.
