Fashion Forward Season 4 kicked off on Saturday afternoon with the opening of The Garden. We profile five standouts in the space dedicated to emerging accessories designers.
Azza Fahmy
A real treat for jewellery lovers attending Fashion Forward this season is the free workshop by The Design Studio by Azza Fahmy. Take a pew for a 15-minute session with Estella Saez, the head of the design department at the acclaimed Egyptian jewellery house’s school, and create a ring, pendant or pair of earrings to take away.
Keen Bags
It’s the first time for this French-Arabic home decor and accessories label to exhibit in The Garden. We’re loving that all fabrics for the bags, traditional and rarely seen gutras, have been sourced locally and bear hamsas or the Hand of Fatima. Check out the pouches, totes and beach bags, most of which have waterproof interiors and fold easily for storage. Also available are cushions, ottomans and even tissue holders.
Aisha’s Charms
If you’re looking for a truly beautiful bargain this season don’t pass by Aisha’s Charms stand from Turkey. Delicate jewel-studded pendants, 1920s-inspired pearl-tasselled earrings and intricate rings – that you’d swear were real diamonds set in platinum – are on sale from Dh100. Key buys are the rose-gold-plated anklets with cubic zirconia Hands of Fatima and angel-wing tip rings for your pinkies. The brand is available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as online, where if you register you’ll receive a 10 per cent discount on your first purchase.
El-J
Turbans are trending in The Garden again this season and one stall with easy-to-wear pieces is EL-J. For spring/summer 2015 there are colours of mint green, salmon, lavender and rose. There are also evergreen pieces available in black velvet and purple satin, embellished with jewel or rosette centrepieces from Dh200 upwards.
Capsule Arts
If you have a bare wall and want to fill it with something a little out of the ordinary, look no further than Capsule Arts. Limited-edition prints are on display and available to buy from this bespoke art consultancy. Works featured include those of the Emirati artist Khalid Mezaina. From quirky illustrations to abstract prints, the stand is worth a look.
The Garden
Water fuss
The ultimate accessory for every attendee at FFWD this year, and every year, is a bottle of water. Running from back-to-back shows is thirsty work, after all. If you’ve got the cash to splash then fashionable water sponsor Evian has roped in Kenzo to design its bottles this season. Head to the cafe area of The Garden to purchase your stylish sip for Dh30.
Sugar rush
In an added bonus this season, Jumeirah has laid on some free sweet treats for visitors to The Garden. From candyfloss to cake-pops and red-velvet cupcakes, there’s guaranteed to be something to keep your sugar levels up while you make your way around the stands.
Fashion Forward runs from 4-6 October at Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah. For details go to www.fashionforward.ae
rduane@thenational.ae