Fashion Forward Season Nine
28 regional and international brands will show at the milestone season 10 of Fashion Forward (FFWD) on October 26-28 at a new venue, the Design Quarter in d3. Vogue.me will livestream all of the shows here so that you won’t miss a single runway look. Plus, we’ll be reporting daily on the street style and backstage happenings.
Following the format of previous events, the lineup of new and returning designers will present their latest collections via a runway show or presentation. Featuring the most diverse roster of brands so far, this year’s fashion extravaganza will debut five international designers. Anna K, Eudon Choi, João Rolo, Nabil Nayal, and Sid Neigum are set to make their Fashion Forward debut this October.
“We are thrilled to have secured the Syrian designer Nabil El Nayal, who was one of eight new talents shortlisted for the LVMH prize for young fashion designer this year,” says founder and CEO of Fashion Forward Bong Guerrero in conversation with Vogue Arabia in the October issue.
“Ten is a milestone number. I think to have survived and thrived is quite an achievement not only for myself, but mostly for the entire FFWD team, of whom I am immensely proud,” he adds. “There is a tremendous amount of international interest in diverse Middle Eastern talent.”
THE RETURNING FFWD RUNWAY SHOW DESIGNERS ARE:
Amato by Furne One: The Dubai-based, Filipino designer creates artistic couture for his international clientele. (UAE)
Anaya: Luxury eveningwear for women. (UAE)
Arwa Al Banawi: A women’s ready-to-wear label featuring smart, casual pieces. (UAE)
Hussein Bazaza: 2015 DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize winner and Starch Foundation alumnus that designs women’s ready-to-wear. (Lebanon)
Lara Khoury: Experimental feminine silhouettes with cult-like following in the Middle East. (Lebanon)
Madiyah Al Sharqi: Women’s ready-to-wear and eveningwear. (UAE)
Masheal AlRajhi: Women’s and men’s casual and contemporary ready-to-wear. (Saudi Arabia)
Sadeem: A pret-a-couture (ready-to-wear married to couture) fashion brand produced ethically and sustainably. (Saudi Arabia)
Roni Helou: A Starch Foundation alumnus that creates tailored women’s ready-to-wear pieces. (Lebanon)
Royaled by RH: A pret-a-couture label that aims to transcend seasons with its collections. (Saudi Arabia)
Varoin Marwah: A Dubai-based brand that draws from its Indian roots, to craft artisanal and imperial attire. (UAE)
Zareena: A women’s ready-to-wear label with ‘60s influences. (UAE)
THE NEW FFWD RUNWAY SHOW DESIGNERS ARE:
Nabil Nayal Spring 2018. Courtesy of Nabil Nayal
Amine Bendriouich: a 2015 DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize finalist who designs his unisex collections on spontaneous themes, without following seasons and trends. (Morocco)
Anna K: A feminine womenswear label known for its frilly styles adorned with embellishments, as well as loose, ethereal silhouettes. (Ukraine)
Asya Krasnaya: A modern womenswear brand that draws inspiration from the Russian culture and lifestyle. (UAE)
Atelier Zuhra: A haute couture label known for its body-hugging silhouttes, embellishments, and overall glam. (UAE)
Behnoode: An Italian menswear brand that creates simple, expertly-tailored, classic men’s suits with a strong Middle Eastern clientele. (Italy)
Eudon Choi: Drawing inspiration from architecture and historical figures, Eudon Choi is known to combine masculine tailoring with feminine sensibilities in his pieces. (UK)
João Rolo: A glamorous, haute couture label with an international following. (Portugal)
Mohanad Kojak: One of Egypts youngest, most accomplished fashion designers, Mohanad Kojak is an alumnia of Project Runway Middle East, and is known for his unique and playful “wearable art.” (Egypt)
Nabil Nayal: An artistic Elizabethan-inspired sportswear label headed by Syrian designer Nabil Nayal. (UK)
Sara Altwaim: An ultra-feminine label whose designs are made for a red carpet. (Saudi Arabia)
Sid Neigum: This up-and-coming Canadian brand is one to watch with its abstract, geometric womenswear pieces. (Canada)
Uniti by Babak Vosoughi: Contemporary mens and womenswear that fuses “street style with art.” (Iran)
Utruj: Modest women’s outerwear that aims to universalize the abaya. (Saudi Arabia)
Additionally, Mini Fashion Beyond Native will present three designers: Dress Addict, Wael and Zaid Farouki. On October 25th, designers will host private appointments with buyers and media at d3.
