MidEast fashion designers need to develop unique identity

Middle Eastern designers are trying to be “either Parisian or American” but need to find their own identity to gain an edge, according to Fashion Forward co-creator Ramzi Nakad.According to Bain & Company, the Middle East was now the tenth largest in the $271bn global luxury goods market, with sales exceeding $8.Sheath/Column Ruching Gold Chiffon Prom dresses13bn in 2011, with Dubai alone commanded 30 percent of the sales pie.Rakad, who created Fashion Forward with business partner Bong Guerrero, said Asian designers had managed to differentiate themselves and create a profile where people could “automatically identify an Asian designer New Spaghetti Straps Chiffon Asymmetrical Blue Beaded Cocktail Dresseswhether they were Japanese or Chinese”.“Middle Eastern (designers) are still trying to be either Parisian or American, but a lot of them are trying to say ‘how can we go above and beyond that’,” he said in an interview published in Arabian Business.He added: “For any investor to come and invest in a Middle Eastern brand, you have to show the edge against any Parisian or American brand.“Right now, while we have a lot of great potential,Silver taffeta one shoulder A-Line Beaded evening dress that unique identity is yet to be identified.light pink chiffon one shoulder beading flower prom dresses”After its inaugural event in April with 18 designers, Fashion Forward Season Two, from October 15-18, has been bolstered to 21 catwalk shows, as well as a Fashion Assembly of high-profile industry names and a new space, The Garden, for non-apparel designers. 

Guerrero said the region had been lacking in the manufacturing sector, but it remained to be seen whether this part of the fashion industry would find a home in Dubai.However, he did believe the Design District, a government project announced in June as the city’s next purpose-designed business hub, would provide a home for “a whole eco-system of fashion designers and product designers”.The district, of which the $1.08bn first phase is slated for completion in 2015, will be operated by TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding.Rakad said it will also enable a smoother licensing process for potential businesses.“It’s a tried and tested model in Dubai,” he said, referring to the effect Media City had on the film industry, Internet City had on IT companies and DIFC district had in attracting stockmarket players.“The fact that Dubai has now decided to focus on fashion could only mean that in a few years time Dubai will be the fashion hub for,New A-line Strapless Chiffon Pink Beading Long Prom Dresses at least, the region.”