Bringing the best of Italian fashion to the UAE

Italian Lifestyle Dubai's inaugural exhibition has more than 100 participants and will be held from October 26 to 28 in Dubai

Italian Lifestyle Dubai is making a debut in Dubai this year with an exhibition dedicated to the best of fashion, beauty products and accessories from Italy. The event is being hosted by the Italian Industry and Commerce office in the UAE (IICUAE) and has attracted 120 small and medium-sized enterprises from Italy. The three-day exhibition will be held from October 26 to 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre Hall 1. Khaleej Times caught up with Benedetta Bottoli, one of the organisers, to know more about the event. Excerpts:

What was the idea behind the launch of the Italian Lifestyle Dubai?
The Italian Lifestyle in Dubai is not a simple exhibition, but a project. We started working on it in February this year, and so far we are very proud of the results obtained.
The Italian Industry and Commerce Office in the UAE has guided and supported the exhibitors in every single step right from the delivery of products to stand arrangements.
Normally in an exhibition, buyers usually visit the stands of the exhibitors of their choice. However, at the Italian Lifestyle Dubai the platform is wider with participation from a range of suppliers from Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, India, and of course, the UAE.
Sellers have an opportunity to meet and introduce their products to the buyers directly through B2B meeting. So far, we have more than 330 B2B meetings lined up between buyers and exhibitors. These meetings are scheduled on the first and second day of the exhibition.

Italian Lifestyle Dubai is not only related to fashion and beauty. What else will it offer?
Italy is famous for its clothing, stylists and food. The Chamber has an important collaboration with Italian Cuisine World Summit for several years and we are very proud to accommodate them and their wonderful meals at the exhibition hall. Visitors, buyers and participants will walk around the stands, buy Made-in-Italy products and satisfy their appetites with the best Italian food at live cooking stations.

Do you think Italian Lifestyle Dubai could become a regular feature in the world of expositions of Dubai?
Yes, I think so. This is only the first edition of a very innovative project. We are very motivated and hopeful about it and also think that Italian Lifestyle Dubai is one of the few opportunities for the small and medium Italian companies to foray into the Middle East and get recognised as Made in Italy brand promoters.
Italian Lifestyle Dubai is proud to announce the participation of these famous brands:

1. Swinger International (a special guest)
2. Byblos
3. Versace Jeans
4. Cavalli Class
5. Givenchy

Tell us about the Italian food aspect at the event.
The first edition of the Italian Lifestyle Dubai 2016 will also feature the Italian Cuisine World Summit, bringing the best of Italian taste, food and starred chefs under one roof. The event will celebrate, promote and educate consumers about the beauty of Italian cuisine and its ingredients.
We are proud to be hosting this event in the vibrant and hospitable environment of Dubai, which is also known as a world-class food capital.
During the first two days of exhibition from 1pm to 4pm we will have gourmet stations, where visitors would be able to participate at live cooking stations, a experience a series of gastronomic demonstrations, and get a taste of delicacies made by Chef Diego Aira Piva.
The Italian Lifestyle Dubai involves 120 Italian fashion companies; 70 buyers from Middle East and Europe; and is expected to attract over 3,000 people. The debut edition in 2016 looks set to build on this impressive reputation to be the best event to date.
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• Dubai