• Hitting the UAE for the first time, Dubai Modest Fashion Week follows on from the success of London and Istanbul series serving up the biggest names in the industry including international icons, award-winning designers and VIPs

• Working towards coining Dubai as a hub for the multi-billion dollar modest retail industry in the Middle East, expect to be educated and enthralled by one of the world's biggest modest fashion movements

• Confirmed Industry talents from across 5 continents include hijab supermodel Halima Aden, the face of Modest Fashion Mariah Idrissi, and well-known influencers Leena Asad, Melanie Elturk, Rumena Begum, Nabiilabee, Habiba da Silva, Sebinaah, Chinutay, Saufeeya Goodson and Safiyah El of Modestroute, HE Sara Al Madani, Manal Rostom, Rene Borisova and Soha MT amongst many others

Dubai - Fresh from successful launches in Istanbul and London, Dubai Modest Fashion

Week (DMFM) debuts on 8th – 9th December at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai. Created by the founders of Think Fashion in association with Red Connect, the two-day event will showcase the latest modest fashion trends from an eclectic mix of established and emerging designers from across the globe.

DMFW is held in partnership with Emaar Properties, modest fashion e-commerce Modanisa.com and modest fashion make-up brand Wardah Beauty. Also supported by Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, Thomson Reuters, premium bag label Doris Dorothea and education partner The College of Fashion Design Dubai.

Why DMFW?

Paving the way for the modest design movement in the Middle East and beyond, the event aims to appeal to women of all backgrounds – driving the message home that dressing modest is, above all, a style choice. In recent years, gaining momentum globally, modest-wear is fast-becoming mainstream, with international designers releasing one-off collections during Ramadan and Eid and a growing number of labels launching a modest range as part of their annual collections. Modest Fashion Weeks are now recognised as working towards coining the term “Modest Fashion” and as being a key contributor in building hype around modest fashion industry across the globe.

What’s happening at DMFW?

The action-packed DMFM roster will include 30 fashion shows from 5 continents, 60 brand booths, interactive workshops, and talks, plus fashion and art exhibitions. As well as the Emerging Modest Fashion Designer Award where one budding modest designer will showcase their collections on the runway and win an editorial with a prestigious fashion publication, as well as chance to sell the collection online. Talk schedule highlights include ‘From Nike to the cover of Vogue why representation matters’ and ‘Fashion activism, use your platform for good’ - while art exhibitions offer immersive works from awardwining artists, photographers and film makers hailing from Europe to the GCC.

Starting with a spectacular opening ceremony and exclusive show, the weekend will see renowned brands and designers take to the DMFM runway. On Friday 8th December, style fans can check out live shows from Huw Roman – Japan’s leading modest fashion designer, prestigious leather handbag label Doris Dorothea, iconic modest label Fllumae-USA, one-to-watch Sumayya & SSS from Indonesia and renowned German-designer Meriem Lebdiri with her brand Mizaan.

On Saturday 9th December, famous Kuwaiti brand, Anotah will hit the catwalk, as well as India’s first abaya designer Murcyleen Peerzada, contemporary ready-to-wear Malaysian label, Aere and luxury Australian-based brand Anjilla Seddeqi. The final day will also host an exclusive Wardah Beauty Show featuring an array of favoured modest designers worldwide; Etu, Ria Miranda, Norma Hauri, Zaskia Sungkar and Vogue Arabia’s ‘Modest Muse’ Dulce by Safiya Abdallah (UAE).

Who’s behind DMFW?

“Modest fashion has its own talents, stars, market and capital cities, we created the event series to bring authentic modest fashion to the mainstream. After Istanbul and London, we consider Dubai the center for modest fashion in the GCC, and this December we can’t wait to celebrate modest fashion designers from around the world in this truly innovative city.” comments Franka Soeria, DMFW co-founder and co-creator of Think Fashion.

Özlem Şahin, DMFW co-founder of Think Fashion adds, “The essence of Modest Fashion Week is the global participation of ground-breaking designers, showing that trendsetting and modest fashion goes hand-in-hand. Dubai Modest Fashion Week is set to be the event of the year, championing the diversity of the industry and bringing additional business opportunities to the scene.”

Arif Ebrahim of Red Connect - the organising partner of DMFW adds “Dubai’s vital positioning within the fashion industry provides the most suited platform for Modest Fashion throughout the GCC. Recognising this positioning was imperative and we look forward to showcasing all that Modest Fashion offers in the form of the Dubai Modest Fashion Week. This is not only a trend but an emerging industry in its own that will play a huge role within the realm of global fashion.”

Dubai Modest Fashion Week will take place at Burj Khalifa Park on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th December 2017 from 11.00am – 10.00pm

The Emerging Modest Fashion Designer Award celebrates an outstanding debut modest designer (established by a minimum of one year) and will be awarded by judges including; industry specialists, Think Fashion founders and a special guest on Saturday 9th December at 12pm.

For more information please contact: awards@dubaimodestfashionweek.com  

For further information on Dubai Modest Fashion Week visit:  www.dubaimodestfashionweek.com

-Ends-

About Modest Fashion Week
This groundbreaking concept is the brainchild of pioneering e-tailer Modanisa and Think Fashion. As the world’s largest online portal for modest fashion, Modanisa wanted to create a physical platform for retailers, modest fashion influencers and tastemakers to come together and showcase the latest trends. Aiming to shine a light on the incredible talents of modest fashion designers from around the world. MFW started its journey in May 2016 under the name of Istanbul Modest Fashion Week, closely followed by London Modest Fashion Week in April 2017. Attended by influencers, emerging and established brands, burgeoning talents, well-connected buyers from USA, Asia, Europe, Australia & Africa and high-profile guests such as hijab supermodels Halima Aden and Dina Tokio, both events attracted global news headlines from New York Times, Washington Post, Daily Mail, Huffington Post, Vogue Arabia, Kuwait Times, Al Arabiya and Elle USA.

About Think Fashion 
Created by two young female entrepreneurs Franka Soeria and Özlem Şahin, Think Fashion is a marketing and events company with the focus on Modest Fashion, serving as The Think Tank of the industry. About Red Connect

Led by entrepreneur Arif Ebrahim as a part of RED Events Services LLC, RED Connect is one of the biggest names in creative media and events in the GCC region. Boasting 13 years in the industry, the Dubai-based company have organised more than 500 events and won over 70 awards.

For media enquiries please contact The Collective Communications: 
Georgina Brace – georgina@thecollective-group.com

© Press Release 2017