Your guide to Dubai’s Fashion Forward SS16

Your guide to the shows, presentations and industry talks at Fashion Forward SS16 from October 22-25.

The April and October editions of FFWD 2014 included collections by Michael Cinco. Ian Gavan / Getty Images for Fashion Forward

The spring/summer 2016 edition of Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) will be staged at the Madinat Jumeirah from Thursday October 22 to Sunday October 25. This season, the twice-annual industry event, will feature more than 30 ready-to-wear and couture catwalk shows in addition to industry talks sponsored by ­partner d3. Here’s your day-to-day guide to the fashion ­extravaganza.

KEY SHOWS

DAY 1

Starch Foundation

This platform for Lebanon’s emerging designers is a must-see and will feature the works of aspiring designers Nour Najem and Sarkis Dersahagian. Their collections will show alongside those of Yasmine Jaber, Mira Hayek and Joe Arida.

• www.starchfoundation.org

Zaroon by Zareena

Emirati designer Zareena Yousif blew our fashionable socks off last October at FFWD with her Aladdin-Ali Baba collection. Secure your front-row seat to watch her up the ante again this time around.

Michael Cinco

To the delight of all dedicated followers of fashion, Dubai-based couturier Cinco will return to Fashion Forward this month. Expectations are naturally high for the collection from a designer who is used to dressing stars from Lady Gaga to Jennifer Lopez.

• www.michaelcinco.com

DAY 2

Taller Marmo

Thought-provoking, borderline controversial shows are nothing new to the Italian-Argentinian designer duo behind Taller Marmo. The fashion pack eagerly awaits what the Dubai-based womenswear label will send down the ramp at FFWD.

• www.tallermarmo.com

Dany Tabet

Guaranteed glamour comes in the form of Lebanese couturier Dany Tabet’s runway show. Those with a penchant for figure-hugging cocktail dresses and intricately beaded gowns won’t want to miss his presentation.

• www.danytabet.com

Endemage

East is likely to meet West at the show by Omani sisters Lubna and Nadia Al Zakwani on day 2. Look for a fresh direction from the pair, who established their label in 2010.

• www.endemage.com

DAY 3

Madiya Al Sharqi

Collections from the daughter of the Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, continue to strengthen with every passing season. Mark her show in your diary and keep your camera handy.

• madiyahalsharqi.com

House of Nomad

Nomadic by name and by nature, the collections by Ahmed El Sayed and Saleh Al Banna are guaranteed to buck the trend and take you places this October at FFWD.

• www.houseofnomad.ae

Amato by Furne One

It’s always standing-room only at this master couturier’s closing show at FFWD. Reserve your place early, because, “if you’re name’s not down, you’re definitely not coming in”.

• www.amatohautecouture.com

Celeb sessions

All of a flutter

The room will be packed to the rafters when beauty expert and eyelash entrepreneur Huda Kattan takes part in a panel discussion on Thursday. Scheduled to give a talk titled “Building a Brand: The Huda Beauty story”, she will be joined on stage by her sister and business partner Mona Kattan.

Styling masterclass

Tomorrow, jeweller Nadine Kanso of Bil Arabi will share the stage with contemporary Shourouk Rhaiem, founder of her eponymous jewellery brand. Up for debate, “Accessories: The Next Big Thing”. Also taking part in the panel discussion is Hamdi Kulahcioglu, general manager of Tyrano – ­Chaloub Group’s new department store concept.

Heads-up

On Friday, you might jostle for space at John William’s workshop presentation. The course leader from the London College of Fashion – and Editor of Pigeons & ­Peacocks magazine – will educate the masses when it comes to “Fashion Styling for Today’s Media”.

Return of the M.A.C

An interactive session not to miss on Friday will be the Q&A session with the global brand president of M.A.C Cosmetics, Karen Buglisi Weiler. Get the inside track on how the company expanded its footprint into 107 countries and rose to the top of the cosmetics tree in three decades.

Down to business

Named one of the 100 most influential men in Britain by GQ, Imran Ahmed, founder and chief executive of The Business of Fashion, will be speaking at FFWD on Saturday.

Industry insights

A session geared towards “Balancing Creativity with ­Commerciality” will also be held on the final public day of FFWD SS16. Fielding questions from the audience will be Barbara Trebitsch, head of the fashion school at Milan’s Domus Academy.