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here are certain qualities that Arab designers seem to have in common. They are extremely proud of their heritage, they are determined to educate the global audience through the modern way they pay tribute to it, and their preservation of traditional craft. Despite Arab fashion being associated with glamorous eveningwear and intricate couture, the new generation are looking to streetwear – think Arwa Al Banawi’s slick approach blended with her Saudi heritage - and contemporary separates that are appealing to international shoppers, including celebrities. SemSem can count Blake Lively, Olivia Palermo, and Gigi Hadid as firm fans, while Dubai-based Bouguessa has been snapped up by international influencers and actress Kristen Bell. Meanwhile London-based Syrian designer Nabil El-Nayal has secured a grant from the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Trust that he will use to grow and develop the brand that focuses on a modern twist to Elizabethan craftsmanship. Elsewhere, we see visionary events like Fashion Forward Dubai providing another platform for regional talent establish their name and connect to their consumers and fans. There is always talent to be discovered, and below we have gathered some of the names we will be keeping a particularly close eye on over the coming months.
WO R D S : D I A N A B E L L- H E AT H E R
takeover Yousef Akbar Born in Saudi Arabia, Yousef Akbar’s brand is built on creating ethical and responsible couture and ready-to-wear garments that allow his customers to look and feel good. Akbar uses recycled materials and supports local artisans in small communities from the Middle East and around the world in his manufacturing process. He has recently won the Not Just A Label (NJAL) competition to showcase his collection at the April edition of Fashion Forward Dubai.
F E AT U R E
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