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
Stars gather in London for 2025 fashion awards
DUBAI: From Yasmine Hamdan to supermodel Iman, stars from the worlds of fashion and entertainment gathered on the red carpet at The Fashion Awards 2025 in London on Monday.
The event at the Royal Albert Hall was attended by celebrities such as actresses Cate Blanchett and Sienna Miller, the latter debuting her baby bump in a sheer Givenchy gown.
The ceremony, founded in 1989, is overseen by the British Fashion Council. This year marked the first under new council CEO Laura Weir.
Hosted by US actor Colman Domingo, the event and saw Jonathan Anderson named Designer of the Year award for his work at Dior and JW Anderson — the third year he has won the award. Taking to the stage, he said: “I love being in the house of Dior because it’s a massive challenge … I believe in collaboration, thank you so much for this honor.”
Givenchy’s Sarah Burton won British Womenswear Designer of the Year, with Grace Wales Bonner taking the menswear equivalent.
This year’s Vanguard Award went to Turkish designer Dilara Findokoglu. The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator went to Rei Kawakubo, Adrian Joffe and Dickon Bowden for Dover Street Market, and the Outstanding Achievement Award was handed to Brunello Cucinelli.
US Sudanese model Anok Yai was named Model of the Year. Accepting her prize, an emotional Yai said: “To all the little Black girls watching me right now, your colour is not a curse … you are more powerful than you can imagine,” reported the BBC.
She took to the stage in a cream corseted custom gown by Dilara Findikoglu. The floor-length dress featured swathes of lace, crushed velvet and satin, and a dramatic train.
“Whenever you see a Dilara piece, you know that it’s her work right away … I love the romance of her pieces — there’s this raw, edgy darkness to it that I’ve been obsessed with,” Yai told Vogue magazine ahead of the ceremony.
