Fashion fame comes to Dubai

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, Dubai Fashion 2006 will run alongside Dubai Shopping Festival and the organizers aim to match the spectacle and excitement of major fashion weeks around the world.

Five of the biggest names in the world of fashion - including Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Emanuel Ungaro, Sonia Rykiel and Kenzo -will present their latest collections fresh from their launch at Paris Fashion Week, and before they are showcased in New York.

The decision to premier such high profile collections in Dubai at the start of the fashion season is seen as a reflection of the Middle East's rising importance in the international scene and demonstrates the ongoing success of Dubai Fashion - now in its third year.

The popular event provides a fitting platform for top international fashion houses to showcase their latest collection in Dubai which is fast turning into a fashion capital of the region while retaining its position as a thriving hub of haute-couture and pret-a-porter in the region as well as a popular East meets West destination for all fashion aficionados while Creations is rightly encouraging professional and up-coming talent to make their mark as well as make it big in the fashion world.

Said Saeed Mohammed Al Nabouda, DSF CEO, "Firstly, I would like to thank HH Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum for her continuous endorsement to this sparkling event from day one. Now, in its third year the Dubai Fashion is realizing the vision of Her Highness's directives in a big way. Secondly, BurJuman, I am proud to say, is one of our most active sponsors. Our relationship goes back seven years and we have been working hand-in-hand for the last one year for Dubai Fashion and Creations and now have a new addition in the form of the 1st International Fashion Photography Festival taking the total to three events under the Dubai Fashion 2006 umbrella."

Added Al Nabouda, "BurJuman today is a high-class shopping mall in the emirate housing top international brands under one roof which I feel is the right destination for a world-class event like Dubai Fashion 2006. And it's the commitment of the DSF to such an event that the top brands associate themselves with and keep coming back every time. We look forward to long innings with BurJuman in the future."

"Dubai Fashion 2006 will make headlines and turn heads, by hosting some of the maestros of the fashion world to present their latest designs to the Middle East and the wider world at large," said Eisa Adam Ibrahim, general manager, BurJuman.

"The event looks all set to be a major highlight of DSF 2006 and will raise the bar for fashion-related events across the region. As the home of high fashion in the region, BurJuman is a natural partner for this exciting event," added Ibrahim.

Two shows will be held daily from January 17 to January 19, 2006 at the Dubai Park Hyatt hotel, with one show dedicated to ladies only.

In the run-up to Dubai Fashion 2006, BurJuman will join Dubai Park Hyatt in hosting the 1st International Fashion Photography Exhibition, from January 10 to January 22. This unique collection of photographs will present the latest images from the Cannes Festival along with a special tribute to award-winning photographers Hans Feurer and Jean-Daniel Lorieux.

Also starting in January, BurJuman will host Creations 2006, a unique two-week celebration of the work of the region's upcoming and professional designers, running from January 21 through to February 3.

In the first week, BurJuman will offer upcoming fashion designers a platform to premier their creations and showcase their ideas, with daily shows at the Mall while in the second week, prominent Iraqi, Lebanese, Kuwaiti, Indian, Egyptian and Pakistani designers will premier their latest creations.

Following the fashion shows, all designs will be exhibited for sale at BurJuman.