DUBAI: Following its iconic opening show starring international hijab supermodel Halima Aden, to a talk on the evolution of the abaya from Sheikha Hend Faisal Al-Qassemi, the first Dubai Modest Fashion Week (DMFW) drew to an impressive close this week.
The two-day style event that took place on Dec. 8-9 saw both established and emerging designers from over 20 countries take part in 40 fashion shows, with 50 brand booths, interactive workshops and talks, fashion and art exhibitions, plus 100 celebrities and influencers, gather at the city’s Burj Park to showcase the latest modest fashion trends.
Working toward coining Dubai as a hub for the multi-billion dollar modest retail industry in the Middle East, Sheikha Azza bint Rashid Al-Nuaimi, Mouza Obaid Ghubash, Diana Haddad, and organizers — Modest Fashion Week founders Franka Soeria and Özlem Sahin (Think Fashion) as well as Arif Ebrahim (Red Connect) officially opened the weekend.
Aden, the first Hijabi super model, walked the DMFW catwalk for the opening show, the Modanisa Fashion Show with Rasit Bagzibagli and Muslima Wear. Set within an open-air catwalk beneath the site of the Burj Khalifa, Aden’s fans got to see the international icon in action and get a glimpse of the star quality that has seen her grace the covers of Vogue Arabia and fashion magazines around the world.
Day two kicked off with a jam-packed schedule of shows from Selma Sari by Modanisa, Canadian modest teen brand Yours Truly, modest brand Huw Roman Tokyo and the US’ favorite Fllumae, as well as contemporary ready-to-wear Malaysian label, aere. This was followed by a show from one of modest fashion’s most established names, Kuwaiti brand Anotah.
“We are thrilled with the success of Dubai Modest Fashion Week. This weekend we have welcomed some of the modest fashion industry’s shining stars from around the world to this truly innovative city. With its position as the center for modest fashion in the GCC, this is another step in strengthening the movement’s already burgeoning influence on the mainstream fashion industry,” said Franka Soeria, DMFW co-founder and co-creator of Think Fashion.
Özlem Sahin, DMFW co-founder and co-creator of Think Fashion added: “Our aim with Modest Fashion Week is to engage international and local ground-breaking fashion talents, and to show the world that trendsetting design and modest fashion go hand-in-hand. The past two days have undoubtedly highlighted the diversity and depth of this fast-growing industry and further cemented its influence.”
Dubai’s first ever ‘Modest Fashion Week’ draws to a close
Dubai’s first ever ‘Modest Fashion Week’ draws to a close
Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair fronts Louis Vuitton campaign
DUBAI: Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair this week shared images from her latest campaign with French luxury label Louis Vuitton on Instagram.
Across the images, Al-Zuhair is pictured wearing several looks from the brand in beige, tan and brown tones.
In the first image she posted, she wore a coordinated outfit in a single shade of brown. The look included a long-sleeve top layered beneath a knee-length outer piece with wide sleeves, secured at the waist with a matching fabric belt, paired with loose, wide-leg trousers in the same tone.
Another outfit featured a long-sleeve printed top with a fitted silhouette and an asymmetric tie detail at the side, styled with slim brown trousers and a matching headscarf.
She was also seen in an ensemble comprising a long, neutral-toned inner garment worn beneath a loose, cape-style outer layer. The look was paired with matching trousers and finished with a structured Louis Vuitton top-handle bag in a metallic finish.
In a fourth look, Al-Zuhair wore a coordinated two-piece consisting of a long-sleeve blouse with decorative detailing across the chest, paired with high-waisted, wide-leg trousers in a similar tone.
This marks Al-Zuhair’s second campaign released during Ramadan. Earlier this month, she fronted a campaign for Italian luxury brand Loro Piana.
In images shared on the brand’s Instagram page, Al-Zuhair wears a floor-length olive-green dress featuring a V-neckline, defined waist seam, and fluid cape-style sleeves falling from the shoulders.
According to the brand’s caption, the Ramadan capsule highlights “intricate detailing and the beauty of simplicity,” presenting a wardrobe of comfortable silhouettes.
Shot in the warm, diffused light of a pottery artist’s studio, the campaign centered on elongated shapes, clean lines, and a muted palette of sage and sand tones.
Al-Zuhair, born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, has appeared on the runway for renowned fashion houses.
She has walked for Missoni, Maison Alaia, Brunello Cucinelli, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Giorgio Armani, Elie Saab and more.
In addition to her runway appearances, Al-Zuhair has featured in campaigns for brands including Prada, Chanel and Carolina Herrera.
