Forward-thinking - Fashion Forward

front row/style extravaganza
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FASHION
Being tipped as the definitive platform for the
Middle East’s style scene, Fashion Forward is
about to take the Madinat Jumeirah by storm with
a host of shows, expert tips and the latest trends
to invest in. Emirates Woman goes behind the
scenes to reveal the talent to watch and the
trinkets to covet
Written by Cherith Nicholl
THE DESIGN ERS
With over 15 designers showing off their latest
collections, fashion lovers will be spoilt for
choice. Bringing together the best in emerging
and established talent, here are the top five
shows not to be missed.
Essa
Bhagoorwala
Born and bred in the
UAE, but of Indian
descent, Essa has taken
his insatiable appetite
for fashion and pushed
it to a level that merges
the traditional with
the futuristic. Known
for his vintage fabrics
sourced from across
the world, Essa’s iconic
use of these materials
educates the wearer
while creating a new
piece of fashion history.
Dima Ayad
Dima established her label in
2010 and has since not only
shown at London Fashion
Week, but has also designed
a capsule Prom collection
for Saks Fifth Avenue and
a Ramadan Abaya line for
Harvey Nichols. Known for
her simple, clean lines, the
Lebanese designer delivers
collections to flatter all
women, no matter what their
body shape.
Furne One
Furne’s label, Amato Haute
Couture, takes artistic designs
to a whole new level. After
starting his career at the
tender age of 10, Furne has
gone on to make his mark
on the international fashion
circuit by scooping first prize
at the Japanese Women’s
Wear Awards, becoming a
guest designer on Germany’s
Next Top Model and
dressing celebrities including
Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj
and Heidi Klum. Furne
opened his first boutique
in America last year; his
portfolio already includes a
Dubai atelier.
Michael Cinco
When it comes to intricate details, Michael’s designs
know no bounds. After winning the award for
Breakthrough Designer at the WGSN Global Fashion
Awards in 2011, Michael’s star quickly rose, with former
supermodel Tyra Banks approaching him to create a
collection that was shot by Nigel Barker in America’s
Next Top Model. This collection had a knock-on effect
in Hollywood, and Michael’s gowns are now a regular
fixture on the red carpet.
Ezra Santos
The Manila-born designer
traces his love of fashion
back to watching old black
and white movies as a
child, with the shapes and
silhouettes of the 1940s and
1950s holding particular
appeal. After studying at Slims
Fashion and Arts School and
then Central Saint Martins,
Ezra decided to embrace
the fashion scene in Dubai
and opened his own atelier
on Jumeirah Beach Road.
Seven years on, he continues
to create haute-couture
masterpieces while gathering
a major fan following.
april 2013
emirates woman
79
front row/style extravaganza
TH E
N EWCOMERS
Bashar Assaf,
living in Jeddah, noticed that
garments lacked definition of
the female form. This led him to
design with an approach that
challenges the female body
with brave geometry. Bashar’s
involvement in Starch marked
the start of a new chapter in
his career, with the launch of
his first collection under his
own eponymous label.
Along with the established
designers showing during
Fashion Forward, Starch,
a non-profit organisation
that helps launch emerging
Lebanese designers, has
invited four talents to show
off their collections.
Celine Der
Torossian
took her
passion for fashion to
Paris after completing
her studies at ESMOD
Beirut, honing her skills at
the ready-to-wear French
brand Infinitif and Elie
Saab. An internship with
Giles Deacon provided
her with further training
at an international level
before she returned to
Lebanon to start her own
label, AZADE, in 2012.
Sevag Dilsizian
began working in the
jewellery industry in
1991, when he began
learning the art of
creating unique pieces
by hand. After more than
20 years in the family
business, he decided
to start his own line
with a focus on treating
each piece as if it were
a piece of art. Sevag
favours using copper
in his designs, with a
fearless approach that
results in bold statement
pieces.
Hussein
Bazaza
may be
23 but has already
interned at noted
fashion house Maison
Rabih Kayrouz in
Paris and worked as
a junior designer for
Elie Saab in Beirut.
Choosing to pass his
skills on to others,
Hussein is now a
teaching professor at
ESMOD Beirut, while
developing his first
ready-to-wear line.
Fashion Forward will run from the April 26– 29, for more information
and show schedules, visit fashionforward.ae
Split ring
Dhs918
DAS by
Sevag
Dilsizian
to p of the
p o p-up shops
In addition to the colourful catwalk
shows, the fashion forums and
entertainment, Fashion Forward
will welcome a variety of
designers to showcase their lustworthy trinkets in a host of pop-up
shops. Guests will be able to take
home a unique piece of fashion
– from jewellery to bags and
scarves – that won’t be available
on the high street. We bring you
a taste of what’s in store…
80
emirates woman
april 2013
Ring
Dhs11,250,
Nadine
Kenso
Clutch bag
Dhs800
Nilhal Basha
Cocktail
ring
Dhs643
Satish
Beach
bag
Dhs202
Mina Me
Necklace
Dhs716 Mok