M-Chic launched as newest fashion segment catering for exclusive and luxury fashion brands at Motexha Autumn 2005

Motexha is the leading fashion and textiles exhibition in the Middle East, and is gearing up for its Autumn 2005 edition, to be held September 12-15th.

M-Chic is the designated area for luxurious high-end fashion, attracting top names from Europe, the UK and the US at Motexha. It is positioned towards the increasingly discerning Middle Eastern consumers aware of global trends and insistent on having their wants catered to, and follows up the highly successful mid-range PURE fashion line launched at Motexha in 2004.

Dubai, premier hub for fashion and textile export in the Middle East, supports a growing fashion and textiles industry. Massive increases in tourist activity and heightened retail and commercial development in the emirate have resulted in projected estimates of retail spending crossing Dhs 27.89 billion by 2009 in a study by Retail International.

Speaking at the press conference, Geoffrey Booy, Exhibitions Director, IIR, organizers of Motexha, said, "With one of the highest disposable incomes in the world, the Middle East market is maturing at an increasingly rapid rate, with an astounding GDP growth of 24 per cent in the last four years, resulting in an average of US$ 19,000 per head. Driven by high consumer power, retail footage is expected to increase by 100 per cent over the next five years. M-Chic was introduced in response to demand for premium luxury brands by consumers looking to exercise their buying power. The success of Motexha's trademark LaunchPad fashion shows and the resounding response to the mid-range PURE Branded Wear segment demonstrates the inclination of the market to move towards more discerning luxury wear, emphasising style and quality. The move towards the high end of the fashion spectrum supplements Motexha's credentials as the definitive textile and fashion forum in the Middle East."

Managing Director of Tayyiba, Mary Khalfan will exhibit at M-Chic to showcase her 2006 collection of Manuel Canovas luxury French swimwear at the upcoming Motexha Autumn 2005.

"Motexha provides an ideal opportunity to meet with retail industry professionals, who appreciate the fact that today's customers are uncompromising in the quality they demand. Fashion is no mere byword, it is a vast world in its own right, and designers and businesses alike are under obligation to present apparel of the highest order to the consumer. The fashion market in the Middle East has been making rapid strides, and I fully expect it to be on par with anywhere else in the world in a few short years," said Mary Khalfan, Managing Director, Tayyiba and Manuel Canovas, speaking at the event.

The UAE alone boasts 52,800 dollar millionaires, and as retail space expands commensurately with heightened spending power, fashion retailers and franchise agent look towards Motexha as the leading trade platform, serving to bring iconic fashion brands and fashion traders and investors together to facilitate trade networks and foster franchise partnerships.

Also at the speaking at the Press Conference Mohammed Al Madani, Managing Director of the Al Madani Group said, "As retail investors we research the preferences and demographic particularities of the UAE, and search for brands compatible with the market's preferences. Motexha is a key platform in this regard, and has evolved over the years to keep abreast of market changes, and continues to bring to market a large variety of product and brands compatible with regional demands," said Mohammed Al Madani, managing director, Al Madani Group, a regular brand buyer at the show. "Motexha provides an access point for foreign brands to discuss joint ventures and explore new investment opportunities with local partners."

Al Madani Group (AMG) proliferated into fashion trading in 1998 and now represent brands such as Levi, GAS, Dockers, Hang 10 to name but a few. At Motexha Spring 2005 AMG partnered with two new brands (Playboy UK & ICI Germany), and intend to use Motexha to expand their portfolio at the upcoming Autumn edition.

Motexha is the largest event of its kind in the region, and will play host to 500 companies, brands from 36 countries and over 5000 trade exhibitors this season. Apart from the premium M-Chic segment, other specialized zones include KidZone, Pure Branded Wear, EuroTrendz, international country pavilions, trends forecasting forum and a VIP Buyers Lounge.