UAE fashion industry sees 30% gain in first half of 2007

The three day exhibition was opened by His Excellency Khalfan Ahmed Hareb, Director of His Highness the Ruler's Court, and will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from October 23 to 25.

The biggest gains this year in the UAE were attributed to the UK, which shipped Dhs300m worth of textiles, representing a 30 percent increase within the first half of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006. Italy, France and Spain followed in suit and delivered a total of Dhs555m.

According to figures from the Brussels-based European Fashion and Textile Export Council, officially registered exports of textile fashion from member states of the EU to the Gulf as a whole reached Dhs3.6bn last year, an 8.3% hike from 2005.

'Once again, we are witnessing an upward trend in trade between Europe and the Middle East,' said Reinhard E. Döpfer, Managing Director, European Fashion and Textile Export Council (EFTEC). 'The amount of interest being shown in Prestige 2007 is an indication of this trend.'

He added,

'The Gulf region is emerging as an increasingly important export market for high-quality European exporters, and consumers here are showing an ever-growing appreciation for European garments and textiles. As more and more shopping malls open, and sophisticated multi-brand fashion outlets become more popular, the healthy growth we have seen in recent years will almost certainly accelerate.'

The UAE was considered to be the most important export market for clothing in the Gulf region in 2006. But the real force behind recent gains, say those in the industry here, is Dubai, which is rapidly emerging as a regional and global fashion hub.

Prestige 2007, the fifth edition of planetfair Dubai's international trade fair for fashion, footwear brands and lingerie, is seen as both a reflection of Dubai's growing clout in international fashion and as a key driver for the future of the industry in the region.

'What we are seeing, from the major brands in Europe, the US and Asia, is an increased appetite to do business in this region,' said Michael Mueller, Managing Director, planetfair Dubai. 'This is especially true of Dubai, which has the flair, the retail space and the disposable income to vie with the fashion capitals of the world. Prestige is seen as a way for representatives of these brands to come here and learn more about the industry and what it might take to get involved.'

Held in partnership with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Dubai World Trade Centre, Prestige 2007 is aimed at the high-end fashion market, featuring the 2008 Spring/Summer collections from leading international fashion houses. The event will cover more than 4,000 square metres and accommodate over 160 brands from 18 participating countries.

Among the myriad pavilions present at Prestige 2007, France and Italy will be looked upon to showcase their innovations in fashion, ranging from footwear and accessories to haute couture collections. At the French pavilion alone, 15 companies will be displaying the latest in fashion wear that France has to offer, while Italy participates with a group of 17 direct exhibitors and eight firms.

The Italian pavilion at Prestige 2007 is presenting itself in authentic design, co-ordinated by the Italian Fashion Agency. The German Pavilion will incorporate eleven manufacturers and suppliers of men's wear, women's wear, lingerie, accessories and footwear, displaying their attractive collections for the season spring/summer 2008.

A key element of the exhibition is a workshop dedicated to the theme of different types of floor space management systems. The Prestige Workshop will address independent fashion retailers as well as investors and will take place on October 24, 2007.

Prestige 2007 is hosted by planetfair Dubai LLC, part of planetfair Hamburg, Germany. The exhibition will run from 11am to 7pm from October 23 to 25 in Hall 1 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. The exhibition is open to trade visitors only.