The first Dubai Modest Fashion Week (DMFW) set on Burj Park-Downtown Dubai. The two-day style event that took place across the 8-9 December saw established and emerging designers from over 20 countries take part in 40 fashion shows, with 50 brand booths, workshops and talks, fashion and art exhibitions plus 100 celebrities and influencers, gather at the city’s famous Burj Park – Downtown Dubai to showcase the latest modest fashion trends. From H.E Sheikha Hend Faisal Al Qassemi, Arab superstars Diana Haddad, Hisham El Hajj to Bollywood Diva- Gauahar Khan.
Highlights
Day one Halima Aden the first Hijabi super model walked the DMFW catwalk for the Opening Show & Modanisa Fashion Show with Rasit Bagzibagli and Muslima Wear. Set within a mesmerising open-air catwalk beneath the sites of the Burj Khalifa, Aden fans got to see the international icon in action and get a glimpse of that star quality that has seen her grace the covers of Vogue Arabia and fashion magazines around the world.
Giving style fans a chance to meet their favourite modest influencers and celebrities from all over the world the red carpet featured some of the industries biggest names including; modest social media icon Dina Torkia, the face of modest fashion Mariah Idrissi, and well-known influencers Isra Chaker, Leena Asad, Haifa Beseisso, Nabiilabee, Muna Jama, Saufeeya Goodson and Safiyah El of Modestroute, Soha MT, Nourhan Kandil and many more.
Followed by a rare downpour of rain, a revised catwalk schedule did not dampen spirits but saw crowds flock to the Talkshow Tent where H.E Sheikha Hend Faisal Al Qassemi lit up the DMFW Talkshow Tent with her thoughts on ‘The Evolution of the Abaya’. The electric Q&A session was moderated by Dr. Monica Gallant of The College of Fashion & Design (CFD) and discussed the abayas role in driving modest fashion trends across the globe. Followed by H.E Dr. Mouza Obaid Ghubash Chairwoman of Rewaq Ousha Bint Hussein Cultural Center.
Later taking fans on a journey ‘from Nike to the cover of Vogue’, the supermodel Halima Aiden joined, UK YouTube + Instagram celebrity Dina Torkia, Arab Egyptian Nike’s Hijab Star Manal Rostom, global citizen star Haifa Beseisso and Muna Jama in the Talkshow Tent. DMFW visitors crammed into the tent to hear what the prolific ladies had to say on the subject of taking the modest movement to the mainstream and the importance of brand representation.
Day two, kicked off with a jam-packed schedule of shows from Selma Sari by Modanisa, Canadian modest teen brand – Yours Truly, modest brand Huw Roman Tokyo and US favourite’s Fllumae as well as contemporary ready-to-wear Malaysian label, aere, followed by a stunning show from one of modest fashion’s most established names, Kuwaiti brand Anotah.
As midday approached, judges including Dima Ayad from The Modist, Rabia Z and Think Fashion founders gathered to celebrate an outstanding debut modest designer for The Emerging Modest Fashion Designer Award (#EMFDA) ceremony including; talented ones-to-watch Bahar Acahan (Australia), Ilham A.Ismail (Australia) and Araida (Russia). EMFDA is supported by The Modist and Sayidaty Magazine (media partner).
Later DMFW welcomed luxury handbag designer Doris Dorothea to the catwalk for an unforgettable parade show of their trademark contemporary reptile leather bags featuring international modest shakers including UK’s sweetheart Rumena Begum and Egypt’s favourite Marwa Hassan, Followed by RanaZone and the great show of CFD presents Sara Al Madani and German’s leading designer Meriem Lebdiri.
Music fans got a surprise from world-famous singer, Hisham El Hajj performing his most popular hits to a packed audience. Followed by the exclusive show by DMFW Make-Up partner Wardah Beauty with renowned designers Safiya Abdallah of Dulce by Safiya, Zaskia Sungkar, Norma Hauri, Ria Miranda and ETU. Combining the latest modest trends and cutting-edge make-up from Southeast Asia’s number one beauty brand, the day two show was an education in how to fuse fashion and beauty.
Ajmal Perfumes presented Annah Hariri, Miss Ayshe followed by Indonesian brand Sumaya & SSS. The weekend finale presents couture show by Hilal Oguzkan -Turkey, Zeina Ali -Jordan and India’s Murcyleen Peerzada – joined by Bollywood star Gauahar Khan.
DMFW is held in partnership with Emaar, Modanisa (Name Partner), MBM International (Platinum Partner), Dubai Culture (Culture Partner), Dubai Islamic Economy and Development Centre (Supporting Partner), Rewaq Ousha Bint Hussein-Cultural Center (Supported by), Thomson Reuters (Knowledge Partner), Wardah Beauty (Make-Up Partner), Doris Dorothea (Bag Partner), The College of Fashion and Design Dubai (Education Partner), The Modist (EMFDA Partner), Ajmal Perfumes (Fragrance Partner), OVLAJ (Skin Care Partner), Ijmal (Hair Partner), Bash Ahmad (F&B Partner), The Lipstick Make Up Institute (Silver Partner) and Voss Water (Water Partner).
“We are thrilled with the success of DMFW. With its position as the centre for modest fashion in the GCC, this is another step in strengthening the movements already burgeoning influence on the mainstream fashion industry.” comments Franka Soeria, DMFW co-founder and co-creator of Think Fashion.
Özlem Şahin, DMFW co-founder of Think Fashion adds, “Our aim with Modest Fashion Week is to engage international and local ground-breaking fashion talents, to show the world that trendsetting design and modest fashion go hand-in-hand.”
Arif Ebrahim, founder of Red Connect adds “We can’t wait to bring back Modest Fashion Week in Dubai and do it all bigger and better for next year!”
For more information please visit: www.dubaimodestfashionweek.com
