UAE set to shape Arab fashion industry

Ritika Sharma / Emirates Business

Few years ago fashion was all about Paris and New York. People did not even relate Arab world with the fashion trends or industry. But now the
tables have turned.
Over the years, Arab fashion has gained not only international recognition, but it has also managed to create its own niche which will make sure this industry will grow and remain on the crest, for years to come. Backed by favourbale business-work policies, UAE has a major role to play in shaping this industry and making it more competitive.
Emirati fashion designer Lamya Abedien, who aims at making the national dress ‘abaya’, a global rage, believes the segment has immense potential.
“UAE is an extremely fertile ground for fashion industry to flourish and I believe we have to lead the way to make Arab dresses a ‘wardrobe essential’ across the globe, regardless of social or geographic backgrounds,” Lamya who is founder of the brand Queen of Spades told Emirates
Business.
Ilham Abaas, the Chief Strategy Officer of the Arab Fashion Council which organises Arab Fashion Week in Dubai echoes the same sentiments.
“We (Arab Fashion Week) are now on the international fashion calendar; this, in itself, is an achievement for the Arab fashion industry and for the UAE as a host of this important event. The main aim as Arab Fashion Council is that we want to make sure our (Emirati) designers become known worldwide,” she told Emirates Business, ahead of the upcoming event scheduled next month.
Promising a world-class Arab Fashion Week event this time, with participation from 22 Arab countries, Ilham stresses that it is important to create a platform for all the Arab countries to be able to showcase.
“We are going to make local designers push their boundaries and get hands experience during the Arab Fashion Week, not just to create dresses, but also to understand how to market their brands and sell their collections,” added Ilhaam.
Interestingly, Arab or Islamic fashion is an industry bigger than most of us know. Making its place in the mainstream fashion, the Arab fashion industry which has an estimated current value of US$300 billion is expected to reach US$500 billion by 2019.
Researches have shown that UAE youth are among one of the best dressed and most brand conscious ones of all their counterparts in other GCC countries. Also the Emirates lead the GCC clothing imports at US$7.18 billion followed by Saudi Arabia at US$3 billion.
Alia Khan, Chairwoman of Islamic Fashion Design Council, based in Dubai told Emirates Business, “I can say this with full conviction that in the backdrop of the leadership, the talent and the kind of business base we have here, UAE is going to be one of the most important countries for this industry, much sooner than we can imagine.”
“The way the Islamic fashion industry is growing in this country is magnificent, but there is need to make more sustainable efforts to ensure consistent growth in future. We have got a very good foundation in the UAE and we have to build upon it very strongly,” she added.