ABU DHABI, 17 March 2008 — Lebanese designer Milia Maroun, aka Milia M in the fashion world, who recently returned from her successful showing in Milan, opened Abu Dhabi Fashion Week with her Fall/Winter 08/09 collection last night.

Milia M made history in the fashion world last month by being the first Arab fashion designer to participate in Milan Fashion Week.

“It was a great opportunity when the Abu Dhabi Fashion week sponsored me for the Milan fashion week last month. It’s a great event delivering good quality exposure for all designers,” said Milia on her being chosen by Maven Corporate, creators and organizers of Abu Dhabi Fashion Week, and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, organizers of the Milan Fashion Week.

Milia M’s chic ready to wear collection reflects the moods and colors of dawn, shimmering shades of bronze, gray, off white with gold and black in a mixture of luxurious details with natural untreated materials.

“My designs are all wearable; they are all practical with a touch of luxury and you can wear them on many occasions,” she explained.

Also on show yesterday were collections by Missoni the renowned Italian fashion house, Emarati designer Aisha Desmal and a special collection designed and produced by 21 talented teenage students of the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy.

“Every platform for each fashion week is about serving local talent first of all. By working together to showcase emerging Arab designers alongside world famous Italian masters in both Milan and Abu Dhabi, we aim to bring the amazing creativity in the region to the attention of the international fashion world,” said Alice Teeuwen, president of Maven, at a press conference.