Dubai Rising: Fashion Heats Up Haute City

Fashion was the talk of the town in Dubai as new brands launched and elite partners collaborated to continue the dizzying rise of Dubai as a premier destination for fashionistas across the globe.

Fashion Forward Dubai and Samsung Launch EPIC

Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD), the region’s definitive fashion platform, announced the launch of EPIC (Empowerment Program through Industry Collaboration), an empowerment program that provides business development opportunities to regional fashion talent through a series of initiatives.

In collaboration with Samsung Electronics MENA, EPIC will deliver a calendar of events, workshops, sponsorship opportunities, influencer and scholarship programs, all made possible through the synergetic collaboration with industry partners who strive to achieve similar objectives.

Photo Credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

The ‘MENA Design Outlook’ found that the region’s design industry is witnessing considerable growth, particularly in the fashion sector. However, to reach optimal level, a series of gaps must be addressed, including links between industry and academia, multi-disciplinary programs, access to investors and customers, as well as regional and international visibility.

The empowerment program is designed to bridge these gaps by engaging several layers of the industry in order to break down barriers faced by regional designers entering the fashion and retail landscape, thereby streamlining their path to greater commercial viability.

In 2016, EPIC will focus on five key initiatives with the aim of maximizing exposure, fostering partnerships, creating business and higher education opportunities, and offering practical tools that will enhance the brand.

Le Royal Monceau & Printemps Haussman Woo Elite UAE Fashionistas

This summer Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, invites its distinguished GCC guests to escape the desert heat and enjoy the crème de la crème of Parisian shopping experiences, as the Palace once again partners with iconic department store Printemps Haussman, for a day of VIP, luxury shopping.

Photo Credit: Emmanuel Giraud

From July to 20th of August 2016, visitors can discover the emblematic Parisian Palace in Printemps boulevard Haussmann windows, where renowned French photographer Arnaud Pyvka has captured the essence of the legendary hotel, in a bold display enhanced by several prestigious brands including Stella McCartney, Nina Ricci or Caron.

‘Shopping in Paris’ Package
The ‘Shopping in Paris’ package combines the highest standards of service and a unique Parisian retail experience as Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris invites its guests to Printemps Haussmann to receive VIP treatment with a day of luxury shopping.

The experience includes the help of an Arabic speaking Personal Shopper offering hands-free shopping, priority tax refund and international shipping, plus complimentary access to Premium services with the benefit of the Printemps VIP card which entitles you with %10 discount on selected brands.

Photo Credit: Romain Ricard

Tailor-Made Welcome and Services at Printemps
In order to accommodate its Middle Eastern clientele, the department store provides a tailor-made shopping experience with multilingual store maps, multi-currency payments accepted at all tills, immediate tax deduction at interactive machines to avoid queues, home or hotel delivery, and more.

A Guest Relations and Personal Shopping team that speaks 14 languages, including Arabic is also ready to welcome visitors, direct them throughout the store and coordinate all the services they wish to enjoy. In addition, Printemps offers a private lounge dedicated to Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris for a truly private fashion consultation, keeping in mind the unique needs of GCC guests.

Additional Amenities
For those wishing to make their stay a truly luxurious occasion, Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris encourages guests to begin the day with breakfast and pastries by the best pastry chef in the world Pierre Hermé, followed by private car transfers between the hotel and Le Printemps Haussmann.

Whistles Lands on City Walk

Enamored by City Walk and the glamour of Dubai, fashion world great Jane Shepherdson decided to add to her empire by adding another location of her brand Whistles in the renowned city.

Photo Credit: Whistles

Thanks to her efforts, Whistles has been revived as a favorite of the fashion elite and noted for its casual, yet elegant and sophisticated style. Fashionistas in Dubai may already be familiar with Whistles, as the brand has other locations in Dubai, such as at the iconic Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales.

Photo Credit: Whistles

Available across the globe and online, Whistles has taken the world of fashion by storm. The Dubai location marks the first solo venture of the brand outside of the UK, and has plans to further develop throughout the UAE.