Naomi Campbell checked in last year. So did Donatella Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, the DSquared2 twins Dean and Dan Caten and a host of other fashion personalities. This year, organisers of the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience (VFDE) are stepping it up: Lana Del Rey, Ciara and model Karolina Kurkova will be the star attractions at the three-day celebration of fashion. They will be joined by renowned fashion writer Suzy Menkes, the International Vogue Editor, Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani and many designers including Alberta Ferretti, Philipp Plein, Cavalli, Emilio Pucci’s Peter Dundas and Massimo Giorgetti of MSGM.
But because there’s so much going on across the three days, we’ve done the hard work for you and picked the top events not to be missed:
What: The VFDE catwalk show
One of the highlights of the event, eight designers will showcase their spring-summer collections at the catwalk. The labels and designers are: Asudari Studio by Lamia Asudari from Saudi Arabia, Christopher Esber from Australia, J. JS Lee by Jackie JS Lee from South Korea, Madiya Al Sharqi from the UAE, Miuniku by Tina Sutradhar and Nikita Sutradhar from India, No3 Design by Bushra Badri and Amira Al Khaja from the UAE, Stella Jean from Italy and Piccione Piccione by Salvatore Piccione from Italy.
When: Thursday, October 30 at 7pm.
Where: The Dubai Mall Fashion Catwalk
Who: If the attendance last year was anything to go by, the event’s A-list guests are all likely to be there. So far, we’ve got Lana Del Rey, Ciara, Suzy Menjes and designers Roberto Cavalli, Peter Dundas, Alberta Ferretti and Philipp Plein.
How: Seating for this show is invite-only. However, anyone can watch the show from anywhere near the catwalk and from various levels of the mall. And it’s a pretty good view.
What: International Talents Showcase
VFDE ring leader Franca Sozzani, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, and her team have selected 20 international designers through a scouting competition who will showcase their spring-summer collections.
When: Friday, October 31, from 2 to 6pm. And Saturday, November 1, from 11am to 7pm.
Where: The ballroom at Armani Hotel Dubai.
Who: You will have the chance to meet the 20 designers and talk to them about their latest collections.
How: Entry is free but you have to register at vfdebyemaar.com to gain access.
What: Fashion Talks Session 1
Renowned fashion writer and Vogue International editor Suzy Menkes will join Sozzani for a talk on ‘New Generation in Fashion’. They will be followed by Emilio Pucci’s creative director Peter Dundas who will give a talk on ‘Heritage Moving Forward’. Then, German designer Philipp Plein will give a talk on ‘Excess/Success’. Journalist JJ Martin, the editor-at-large of Wallpaper magazine, will moderate.
When: Friday, October 31, from 4 to 7pm.
Where: Armani Hotel Dubai
Who: The A-list speakers will be the highlight of the day, of course.
How: Entry is free but you have to register at vfdebyemaar.com for a seat.
What: Fashion Talks Session 2
Some of the world’s top designers will share their experiences at this session. Alberta Ferretti will talk on ‘The Strength of Tradition’, while Roberto Cavalli’s topic is ‘From Denim to Red Carpet. The final talk will be by Vogue Italia senior editor Sara Maino, who will discuss ‘Scouting New Talents’.
When: Saturday, November 1, from 3 to 6pm.
Who: Again, it will be the speakers who will be the highlight.
How: Entry is free but you have to register at vfdebyemaar.com for a seat.
What: In-store activities
Many of The Dubai Mall’s fashion stores will be ramping up their activities on the opening day of the VFDE. And everyone’s welcome! At Thomas Pink, a stylist will offer style tips and present the brand’s latest collection from 8 to 10pm. The Emilio Pucci store is hosting a styling workshop to show how you can style the Pucci scarf in multiple ways until 10pm. Alexander McQueen will bring out some special haute couture gowns especially for VFDE which will be on display at the store until November 1. S*uce is hosting a preview of a collaboration between Zayan The Label and accessories brand Shourouk. Massimo Giorgetti, the man behind the MSGM label, will meet fans at Bloomingdale’s Dubai from 8pm. Basically, it’s going to be fashion party central that day.
When: Thursday, October 30, from 8pm.
Where: The Dubai Mall
Who: Prepare to rub shoulders with fashion personalities from around the world as they pop in and out of their favourite shops. Will Lana Del Rey make her way to the H&M store, or will Ciara be at Ralph Lauren after we spotted her at the brand’s event during New York Fashion Week? All we can say is we know for certain which store Roberto Cavalli will be at. How: Entry is free.
What: ‘Who is on Next?’ exhibition
For 10 years, Vogue Italia has mentored upcoming fashion talents and thrown them into the big league through its Who is on Next? programme. Now, catch creations from some of the project spread across a decade, with designs by names such as Massimo Giorgetti, Nicholas Kirkwood and Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi, the guys behind the label Fay. It’s also a fun activity to retrace the evolution of style over the last 10 years.
When: Thursday, October 30, to Saturday, November 1, from 10am to midnight.
Where: Bloomingdale’s Atrium, The Dubai Mall
Who: Creations by designers who’s been a part of the ‘Who is on Next’ project.
How: Entry is free.
What: ‘The Italian Way’ exhibition
Thanks to its partnership with Vogue Italia, the VFDE is going to be Italy-heavy this year. But we’re not complaining. This exhibition will feature 80 garments from the country’s top fashion houses that have been responsible for taking Italian fashion global. Organised around five main themes: Prints, Red Carpet, Embroidery and Appliqués, Black and Casual, names in the exhibit include Missoni, Emilio Pucci, Marco de Vincenzo, Roberto Cavalli, Antonio Marras, Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi, Versace, Prada, Giorgio Armani and Gucci.
When: Thursday, October 30, to Saturday, November 1, from 10am to midnight.
Where: Fashion Avenue, The Dubai Mall
Who: Creations by designers who’s been a part of the ‘Who is on Next’ project.
How: Entry is free.
What: Shoe lovers paradise
Level Shoe District is hosting its own VFDE extravaganza kicking off with a performance by British new-soul singer Laura Mvula on the opening night on Thursday, October 30. Expect a star-studded attendance at this one. Then, over the next two days, the shoe haven will also be hosting a number of events, including the Virtual Shoe Museum exhibition, featuring a collection of one-of-a-kind creations by artists and architects, and shoemaking masterclasses. But our favourite is a live demonstration by footwear brand United Nude who will be printing 3D shoes live in-store. Someone will also get a chance to win a pair designed by architect and founder Rem D. Koolhaas, who will be at the event.
When: Thursday, October 30, to Saturday, November 1.
Where: Level Shoe District, The Dubai Mall
Who: Singer Laura Mvula, designer Rem D Koolhaas, Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani will attend the opening night party.
How: Entry is free
