Fashion Forward: Q&A with industry guru Fern Mallis (part 1)

Fern Mallis. Michael Loccisano / Getty Images / AFP

Fashion industry powerhouse Fern Mallis flew to Dubai for Fashion Forward’s Season 3. Read part one of our interview with the former executive director of the CFDA who is widely credited with having created New York Fashion Week.

Welcome to the UAE & FFWD Fern, how did Bong manage to get you on board?

[Laughs] Well, that’s a good question. I’d been aware of what was going on here for a long time and we were actually contacted through the lady who’s responsible for international relations — via a good friend of mine who has a son living here now. So, it’s been about a year in discussion about if, when and how to get me here.

Why were you sold on the idea? What appealed to you?

I’m very intrigued by emerging fashion week’s and what they are doing. In many ways, they are like sponges looking for information, advice and help. And I’ve been a mentor pretty much all my career, trying to help people from designers to whomever. So it also fits into the international consultancy that I’m doing now. I literally just came back from two regional fashion weeks in America — Charleston and Nashville, Fashion Week. I was really very impressed and pleased with what I saw and I literally had one day turnaround to go home, pack and come to Dubai. I love to travel and see talent wherever it is all over the world. So, this was a great opportunity and Dubai is an interesting place.

Attending the FFWD catwalk shows, what are you looking for?

I almost hate to say it but it — I’ll know it when I see it. It’s a spark, something intangible. I’m always looking to see who could really make it, breakout and be a superstar. On the other hand I’m looking for people who can be sustainable and champion what they are doing ‘here’. I don’t really like it when people do one great collection in a region and saying ‘Adios. I’m out of here and I’ve hit the big time, I’m off to show in New York and Paris.’ My advice would be stay here, help the industry grow, take some ownership and help others — it takes a lot of people working together to make it happen.

Don't miss Part 2 of our chat with Fern Mallis in Tuesday's Arts & Life section, when she reveals all about the 'nicest' designers worldwide and why insecurity runs rife in the industry. www.fashionforward.ae