Missoni and UAE designers open Abu Dhabi Fashion Week

The Opening night will also feature runway shows that will demonstrate the tremendous fashion talent in the Middle East, with collections by Aisha Desmal, a National Designer from Abu Dhabi, Milia Maroun from Lebanon, fresh from her triumphant debut in Milano, and a special Collection designed and produced by the young ladies of the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy.

Staged in a magnificent, custom-built venue in the gardens of the Emirates Palace Hotel, the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will create a festival atmosphere to showcase all that is best about the fashion industry.

Leading regional designers and fresh, new talent from across Arabia will show alongside the great masters from the Fashion Houses of Missoni and Pucci.

Attention will also be focused on the Collection of Albino D'Amato whose work is creating such a stir on the international catwalks.

Along with the Collections come the Designers and Ambassadors of these Fashion Houses. Vittorio Missoni, Laudomia Pucci, Maria Luisa Trussardi, and Albino D'Amato will meet and interact with the rising stars in the region: Moe Khadra, Layla Khouris, Rabih Kayrouz, Gardem, Rabia Z, Amber Feroz, Hassan Yasin, Amina Al Jassim, Aisha Desmal and Milia Maroun.

From Houses like Missoni and Emilio Pucci who have been leading the international industry for over 80 years, there is much that can be learned! As much as anything, it is this sort of experience and exposure which will help regional Designers to grow and become better known on the international stage.

The whole of the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week promises glamour, beauty and fun - a true festival of fashion for the Emirate. The significance of the event is underlined by the list of international guests, media and opinion-makers from the international fashion industry who are flying in for the Event and by the stature of the sponsors and supporters of the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week.

Sponsors for the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week include ALDAR, The Foundation Sponsor, Mubadala, Etihad, Proctor & Gamble and Emirates Palace, whilst strong governmental support is underwritten by the presence of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi and many others.

Through the support of the sponsors of this unique Event, the amazing developments in Abu Dhabi will be showcased before a whole new audience of international decision makers, VIPs and media.

Alice Teeuwen of Maven, commented 'There is great excitement both from the international Designers and Guests, many of whom are coming to the region for the first time, and from the regional Designers who are very focused on the opportunity to show their Collections to an expert international audience. It will be a great week.'

The Collection designed by the young ladies of the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy will be sold at a Charity Auction on the Closing Night (18th March) of the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Special Care Centre.

The Special Care Centre is a charity, under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, focused on catering to the needs of mentally and physically handicapped children. Following the Charity Auction will be the Show of Emilio Pucci, together a wonderful and fitting end to this Festival of Fashion.

The Abu Dhabi Fashion Week takes place from 15-18 March at a specially constructed venue at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.