The Dubai International Fashion Week, Spring Summer 2008 opens today at the One and Only Royal Mirage. City Times takes a look at some of the designers who will be displaying their collection at the glamorous event which wraps up on October 25
He started his career in Dubai where he presented his first fashion show in 1996. More than 40 shows followed and Walid Atallah’s collections were showcased in Lebanon, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Syria and Egypt, as well as in Italy and France. Walid Atallah was the first designer to use diamonds and precious stones as an integral part of his designs. He has also designed one of the most expensive wedding dresses estimated at US$ 1.2 million.
Walid Atallah has launched his Prêt-a-Porter collection under the brand W, comprising jeans and tops for the modern trendy woman.
Mille Rostock
Born and raised in Denmark, Mille Rostock was always inclined to an independent life and expressing her individuality in whatever she attempted.
Mille Rostock introduced her own label 'Mille Rostock' in Dubai, UAE and always uses the best possible fabrics.
Mille’s designs are feminine, sophisticated, and sensual, mixed with luxury and unusual details. They appeal to those who crave something original, something that allow them to express who they are or what state they are in.
Mille Rostock is sold in various shops across the UAE and Europe. The autumn/winter collection 2007 is all about outlining the female figure. The collection is inspired from the 1940’s and the 60’s with the expression ‘less is more’.
Amber Feroz
Amber, the creative director at Doris Dulce is a graduate of Instituto di Moda Burgo, Milano, Italia. He aims at tailoring sleek designs with polished and feminine looks, creating different cuts and designs while playing around with unique color combinations. With his background in textiles, he understands the intricacies of different fabrics and their usage. He works with exclusive collection of fabrics to create designs, which are functional and flattering to multicultural clientele.
His spring collection is inspired by the “Nanking Massacre Of 1937” and is a tribute to all the men and women who were the victims of the Japanese atrocities. As a designer, Amber feels that he has the obligation to convey the victims’ message, which is “Respect Women”. The fabrics he chose includes viscose jersey, for its versatility and comfort, and brocades and woven silk, for their cultural and fashion values. His collection will be embellished by Sharon Harris’ jewellery and accessory line, Balu Joias, featuring beautiful flowers, lovely hearts, guiding stars and flourishing coins.
Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY)
HSY is the winner of the Lux Style Fashion Designer of the Year Award 2005-6. A salutation graduate of the Pakistan School of Fashion, he holds an honors degree in couture and currently serves as a member of the board of directors and the executive committee of the fashion institution.
Hassan has been working as a fashion choreographer since 1994 and has done shows as a choreographer and designer across several countries and regions. HSY is predominantly a couture house specialising in bridal wear, which also carries a diffusion prêt a porter line called R2W.
Rabia Z, Mohamed Khadra and Sulafa Filflan were three designers chosen from acroos the Middle East region in the Emerging Talent Hunt by a judging panel to display their creations at DIFW. They are joined by fashion partnership Janis D’Souza and Soni Sajnani, co-founders of Pink Pepper, who won an online poll in the talent hunt.
Rabia Z.
Rabia was born and raised in Dubai. Her father is a UAE national and mother a UAE citizen, originally from Afghanistan. She has lived half her life in the USA studying and working. After freelancing as a designer focusing on evening and formal wear, she switched to specialising and focused on modest and trendy modern Islamic clothing in women’s ready-to-wear.
Raakhee Raipanchola
She studied fashion at the American University in London with a focus on fine craftsmanship and garment construction along with innovative design developments from original research to abstract concepts that also influenced her design philosophy.
She established her design studio in Dubai and her brand ‘Revisteer’ in 2004 with five different collections.
The line that she creates for S*uce takes abstract concepts and transforms them into marketable designs keeping in mind the look of the store and its clientele.
Mohamed Khadra
This Lebanese designer launched MOK shoes and accessories line (spring summer 2007), Dubai and Beirut in March 2007.
He won second place at the Arab Designer contest at Project Fashion reality TV show, at FUTURE TV, Beirut in 2006. He also received the most innovative textile design awarded by Prato Textile Museum, Prato, Italy in 2006.
Sulafah Filfilan
Sulafah was inspired at a young age by family traditions, where women made their own dresses and gowns. Her first wedding gown was designed at the age of 20, and today, she has her own workshop which caters to an exclusive range of customers. She is currently pursuing an MS degree in Fashion Design and will present a special collection at DIFW.
Janis D’souza & Soni Sajnani
Janis was born and bought up in Dubai. She completed her graduation in Marketing but fell in love with fashion design. She is currently working full time as a Marketing Manager and is co-founder of Pink Pepper.
Soni moved to Dubai at an extremely young age. She graduated in interior design and juggles three creative roles; that of an interior designer, make up artist and co-founder of Pink Pepper. The collection contains everything from quirky fun designs to clothes that reflect the very latest trends.
Kithe Brewster
As a fashion editor/celebrity stylist, Kithe Brewster has developed a fiercely loyal following among those who thirst for boldly creative designs and innovative thinking. Kithe’s varied experiences in Europe and America have shaped his unique sensibilities and provided a deep knowledge of what it takes to create and market cutting-edge fashion.
Early in his career, Kithe spent fourteen years in Europe honing his skills as a fashion editor and stylist. Living in Paris at nineteen proved to be the right move for Brewster, who immediately grasped the French scene, becoming a hot stylist on the move. After seven years in Paris, Brewster moved to London where music styling became his bread and butter. With his return to the U.S., Kithe’s work has become highly sought after by those at the top of American pop culture.
His personal clients have included: Halle Berry, Julianne Moore, Iman, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Usher, and Heidi Klum. He is currently the creative and fashion director of Stitch Magazine in New York, and fashion director of Super Magazine.
Kithe works as fashion consultant and stylist for many designers, and has styled runway shows for fashion homes all over the world. Whatever the challenge, Kithe’s independent vision and smart design sense drives him to succeed and sets him apart from the others. His own label KITHE will premier at Dubai Fashion Week in October 2007.