All Eyes Are on Dubai as The New Global Fashion Mecca

Photo Credit: Samir Hussein/Getty Images for Vogue; The Dubai Mall

Dubai is fast becoming synonymous with global fashion, as the over-the-top, utterly glamorous UAE city kicked off its third edition of the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience on October 29 & 30, 2015. The show is a collaboration between Vogue Italia, The Dubai Mall and BySymphony.com, and drew A-listers such as supermodels Eva Herzigova, Carmen Kass, former first lady of France Carla Bruni, Italian model Mariacarla Boscono, and Peter Dundas, Creative Director of Roberto Cavalli.

Photo Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Vogue; The Dubai Mall

The Middle East doesn’t usually make headlines for haute couture and innovative design, but the showcase is poised to change that, especially via its first edition of Who Is On Next Dubai, a scouting contest for fashion designers from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Here, applicants competed in womenswear, menswear and accessories to win prizes such as a fashion show in Pitti Uomo in Florence, Altaroma in Rome, invitation to the Vogue Talents Corner during Milan Fashion Week, and others. Judges included the likes of Naomi Campbell, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Christian Louboutin and Franca Sozzani, Editor in Chief of Vogue Italia!

Photo Credit:  Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Vogue; The Dubai Mall

Photo Credit: VFDE by Emaar

As to Who Is On Next Dubai, we think the following new talent should be on your fashion radar:

Studio 189

This socially responsible label was founded by actress Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah. Headquartered in Ghana, its focus is on empowering Africa, education and creating jobs. We were impressed by their mud-cloth hand-dyed creations and kente textiles.

Hussein Bazaza

This Lebanese designer won “Best Emerging Designer” for The Middle East Fashion Awards 2015, and also one of the coveted Who Is On Next? awards. He said, “For my spring-summer 2016 collection I was inspired by Persia – all the architecture, the paintings, the arts. I used the nuclear bomb as well as an inspiration.”

Laduma Ngxokolo

The winner of Vogue’s Best Emerging Men’s Wear Brand is a South African designer of traditional Xhosa-inspired knitwear.

Photo Credit: Zimbio

The Kayys

Founded by three Qatari sisters who each bring their own unique sensibilities to the brand, The Kayys is utterly gorgeous and super feminine. Their gowns are a dream!

Photo Credit: instagram.com/thekayys

Jourden

Young Hong Kong fashion designer Anais Jourden Mak mixes ’90s, grunge-y low-end with luxe high-end. We love her playful minimalism.

Photo Credit: instagram.com/jourden

Dubai is the world’s largest luxury market, making up almost a third of the entire global luxury goods market. And the epic Dubai Mall, which houses a theme park and an aquarium, is the world’s most visited shopping destination. In 2014, it drew almost 80 million visitors. Its Fashion Avenue has the vastest collection of high-end brands under one roof.