All the Highlights You Missed From Women's Arab Fashion Week Couture SS22

Aboud Jammal. Photo: Courtesy Arab Fashion Week

The Women’s Arab Fashion Week Couture SS22 and RTW FW22/23 kicked off in Dubai Design District, highlighting 27 international and regional designers. This year it was divided into three programs: Couture SS22, Ready to Wear FW22/23 and the Events calendar, which included pop-ups, holistic art experience, and even a Vogue Arabia metaverse. Inclusivity and diversity were also at the central stage with Tunisian-Dubai-born model Ameni Esseibi being named the Council’s first curvy ambassador.

The first day of fashion week was opened by Egyptian designer Maram Borhan showcasing a collection with a clean aesthetic featuring classical silhouettes. The show continued with Dominican-Lebanese Giannina Azar, showcasing two collections, Passarellas by Giannina Azar and Giannina Azar main, which are just two of the shining examples of her artistry, and Mirror, which focused on reflective details with delicate high-quality textiles. The day ended with Palestinian designer Ihab Jiryis’s royal Spring/Summer 2022 collection, where models walked the runway wearing gold headdresses and flowing gowns.

On day two, AFW started off with an innovative take, where a social media giant META hosted an exclusive event, connecting the fashion industry’s creators and fashion designers. Next up was the Indonesian renowned label Hian Tjen, where culture was heavily represented with significant impact, from the complex and intricately designed beading to the conversational prints. Russian label Humariff touched on virtual perception with an earth-inspired collection. British label LuLu Liu brought a unique perspective to Haute Couture, Polish label Dorota Goldpoint, and Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco closed with pieces that seamlessly brought technology and fashion together, including the Ferronato handbag that protects the privacy of its users.

Michael Cinco with Ferronato. Photo: Courtesy Arab Fashion Week

Days three and four of Arab Fashion Week Couture SS22 spotlighted the works of French-Algerian label Bouguessa, Lebanese designer Aboud Jammal, Lebanese label Lili Blanc, French label Weinsanto which is presented by Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, the French body coordinating Paris Fashion Week; Jordanian/ British label Mada’En by designer Farah Bseiso, Lebanese sustainable label Emergency Room, Algerian designer Ilyes Ouali, American Rag CIE, German label All’s, Saudi label Sara AlTwaim and Libyan label Born in Exile.

As for the last day, the event came to a grand close with some spectacular showcases. Polish Poca & Poca; Italian designer and Milan Fashion Week member Francesca Liberatore’s eponymous sustainable label; American label Nouvelle Silk; Sara Al-Saud, the Saudi fashion designer behind the LA-based label Death by Dolls (who has dressed the likes of Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and Kylie Jenner) took part on the final day, along with renowned Egyptian designer Abeer Al Otaiba, who presented SemSem’s latest line, full of saturated hues inspired by the Egyptian civilization; and Dubai-based label Amato.

After a successful series of days, the Arab Fashion Council and Dubai Design District are showing no signs of slowing down. Fashion enthusiasts in the region will soon get a chance to come together once again for the Men’s Arab Fashion Week SS23, all set to be hosted from June 28-30, 2022.

Designers’ application is open through Arabfashionweek.org