the stray thread - 10 things I learned - UAE fashion season 2009

10 things I learned - UAE fashion season 2009

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UAE fashion industry exploding the stray thread

October 2009 was my first fashion season in Dubai. It set the bar in terms of what to expect and how to approach the local industry with my new blog. A year and tons of research and networking later, I found the industry had exploded 200%. With all types of fashion and accessories designers hitting the street and consecutive openings of multi-brand boutiques the local industry and market are defiantly maturing. However, after making the rounds to most of the same shows and events this October (some didn't survive, where others attempt to fill the void) I can say there has been marked progress, as well as, the expected disappointments. I did not review the October 2010 here as the site was under construction during the 2010 October but if you keep up with thestraythread.com I will offer up the inside scoop throughout upcoming articles.

10-things-walid-atallah

1.

Fashion season is exhausting. I raced all over the UAE to check out these shows and see what the fashion industry is all about here. The line up- Who's Next Premiere Classe 11/12/13 October 2009 DICEC reviewed Dubai Fashion Week 24-29 October 2009 InterContinental Hotel Dubai Creek Fashion Expo Arabia 26-28 October 2009 Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center Arabian Fashion Week 4-6 November 2009 Palladium Media City

2.

What fashion industry? Short of tailors and couture houses (although it might be a sin to call them that) very little in the way of clothing is produced in the UAE.

3.

Buyers? What buyers? There are very few buyers the UAE and since it is such a small community hosting giant trade shows like Who's Next and Fashion Expo Arabia seems absurd. Somehow organizers have wooed designers over to the UAE with a promise of a buoyant and emerging market to hawk their wares. I found some great designers at these shows and since there weren't any buyers around they were happy to chat with me (that's if I could navigate through the tumbleweeds littering the aisles). (FYI the venders nearly stormed the FEA organizers' office demanding to know where these blessed buyers were.) Dubai is a city of global brands, franchises and chains stores. Very few boutiques and independent designer stake their claim in this market so what do these organizers expect?

4.

Fashion season is all about exposure. Dubai Fashion Week reins supreme....at least in the Middle East in terms of publicity and networking. A break down in attendance would yield about 5% buyers, 20% media, 75% friends (and friends of friends) of the designer. Moreover, of all your choices this season DFW is where you want to show or be seen. Just check out designer siblings Wiktor and Karolina Gniewek both sporting pieces from their own lines.

5.

Attending these shows is a good way to see what is happening here in the way of fashion and new ideas. I saw it as local fashion 101. up and coming designer competition winners -Vibgyor's Roma Narsinghani and Simone Khambatta, Anam's Wardrobe's Anam Sohail, Haute Vintage's Asma Dadabhoy.

6.

Patience is a virtue.... but that was ridiculous. I have been in the Gulf over three years so very little surprises me anymore and I have learned to be very patient but sometimes it just goes too far. Who knows? Maybe it was fashion overkill that really did me in. either way, Arabian Fashion Week did a pretty solid job of putting me off. They started each day an average of an hour and a half late. The plywood they called a runway kept the models on their toes, literally, for fear of tripping over a seam. There were very few people in the audience so it wasn't as though we were held up because of a VIP guest. I really felt for the designers that put in hard work and time for this event. I ended up bailing midway through day two. I should be more tolerant of a new event but one of the organizers did talk up his company's skills and his former experience with Dubai Fashion Week and it all fell short. Better luck next year.

7.

Work it!! if you're a fan of this site you know that in addition to being a fashion design student and an artist I run this site to help contribute to the growing creative community in Dubai. We are all volunteers here and don't have any kind of corporate or financial backing. So I couldn't be sure what would happen when I registered as media for all these events. I don't know how much research they did about thestraythread.com but everyone one of these show gave me a press badge. heeha (yelled high like a cowboy!)

Also remember to keep a good supply of business cards on hand... this local fashion blogger is super cute but she came empty handed. I am officially putting out a bolo on her so if you have any info on our mystery blogger let us know so we get her listed under the tool box?

8.

These events are a great way to network. I was able to meet a lot of local designers, photogs, bloggers and journalists. That's what we are all about here at thestraythread.com so to learn more about them check out these links. Local bloggers 1, 2, 3 local designers 1, 2 photographers 1, 2

9.

If you are going to visit a fashion trade show to get your hands on some merchandise it is best to visit early on the last day of the event. Vendors are more likely to sell their samples then.