Luxury & Fashion World's who's who gather in Dubai for world's leading luxury conference

Over 400 delegates from 29 countries are participating.

Celebrated Italian designer Giorgio Armani is this year's key note speaker and will be among a star studded line up to discuss all aspects of the industry, from innovative branding techniques to the very economics of luxury. One of the star attractions of the conference is the opening discussion moderated by IHT Fashion Editor Suzy Menkes with Giorgio Armani and Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Director General, Dubai Department of Economic Development and Chairman, Emaar Properties.

Under the expert chairmanship of Menkes the global forum, now in its fifth year, will look at the exciting opportunities of modern luxury. Menkes, said: "The IHT prides itself on gathering the leading designers and top names in the luxury business at its annual conference, and this year's Modern Luxury 2005 event is no exception.

"Always a step ahead of the creative and the business developments of the fashion and luxury industry the location of this year's event was a deliberate decision by the IHT to recognize a global trend. With the considerable amount of global luxury brands sales coming from the Middle East, Dubai was an obvious choice for this year's IHT luxury conference."

Such is the phenomenal growth in the retail sector of the Middle East that by 2010 there will be an anticipated 118 million sq ft of retail space in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), representing an increase of 150 per cent across the region. The United Arab Emirates will remain the leader as its projected area - 54 million sq ft - will account for almost half of the retail space in the Middle East.

As an emerging global shopping destination Dubai's retail sector is thriving. With its indigenous population growing at a rate of 12.75 per cent (it is expected to double in the next five years) coupled with sustained increase in GDP and Government initiatives to attract 15 million tourists every year by 2010, Dubai is on course to become the retail magnet of the region.

Menkes added: "With top delegates registered for the conference the decision to host Modern Luxury 2005 in Dubai was the right one. The event has attracted people from all sectors of the luxury and fashion industry - clothes, accessories, jewelry, furnishings and hotels and of course, some regular attendees that follow the conference every year knowing the caliber of speakers that are attracted."

Day one of the international conference will get underway with an official welcome from Michael Golden, IHT's Publisher followed by Michael Oreskes, IHT's Executive Editor. Suzy Menkes will then take the stage and set the agenda for this year's conference with an overall look at the industry before inviting designer Giorgio Armani to join her for a discussion session on designing a modern lifestyle. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, will then join the duo for a discussion on the world of hospitality and how the development of a unique international collection of hotels and resorts by Emaar and Armani will redefine the concept of luxury and design.

Day one speakers also include President and CEO of Gucci Group, Robert Polet discussing 'the management of a portfolio of brands' and drawing on his years of experience at the world renowned House of Gucci; Elle Macpherson on 'building on intimacy'; Giancarlo Di Risio on 'Versace: A Modern Medusa'; 'turning a passion for life into a penchant for business' with Diane von Furstenberg; and Shireen El Khatib, General Manager - Fashion & Jewellery of Al Tayer Group discussing the 'challenges of introducing and sustaining a brand in the Middle East'.

Day two of the conference is entitled The Power of Accessories! and looks at the phenomenal impact that accessories have had on the fashion and luxury market in recent years and the emergence of the "It" accessory. Mark Lee, Gucci CEO will explain how the fashion house has kept at the forefront of the competitive luxury market in his address 'From Heritage to Big-Hitter: Keeping Gucci Hot'. Silvia Venturini Fendi will take to the stage with 'the allure of leather' along with contributions from Laudomia and Emilio Pucci, Deputy Chairman and Image Director of Pucci on 'pieces of a pattern', and 'all that glitters - love, magic and power' with Geoffrey Munn, Managing Director of Wartski.

Additional speakers at Modern Luxury 2005 include Simon Falic - Duty Free Americas, Inc.; Raffaello Napoleone - Pitti Immagine; HE Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah - Villa Moda; Mario Moretti Polegato - Geox; Sojin Lee - NET-A-PORTER.COM; Jonathan Chippindale - Diamond Trading Company; Mario Moretti Polegato - GEOX; Stephen Webster, Jeweler; and Michael Zaoui - Morgan Stanley.

Sponsors for the event include: Emaar Properties PJSC as the exclusive principal sponsor; Al Tayer as elite platinum sponsor; SHARP, Global Luxury Living and ELITE Traveler as silver sponsors; and IFTF (International Fur Trade Federation) and ASDA'A - the Middle East premier public relations consultancy as supporting sponsors.