@ffwddxb “The Garden” Blossoms at Fashion Forward

Applications Open for Accessories Designers to Show at Season Three

Registration is now open for local accessories designers wishing to show in The Garden at Fashion Forward (FFWD) Season Three. The region’s definitive fashion event will be held from 10th-13th April, and following the introduction of “The Garden” in Season Two, FFWD will once again be providing a space for regional accessories designers to showcase their collections to guests and buyers.
The Garden is an evolution of FFWD Season One’s “Pop Up Store”, and at last October’s event, FFWD provided space for over 50 regional accessories designers who showcased an eclectic mix of jewellery, handbags, shoes, t-shirts and home-wares. The Garden was open throughout the four day event and attracted a huge amount of interest from the 15,000 guests who attended FFWD Season Two, and sales exceeded $200,000. Over half of the accessories designers who showed in October have already signed up to return for Season Three.
Designers who showcased in The Garden were delighted with the success and popularity of the new space:
“Fashion Forward was the most exhilarating experience that I've lived so far and was a true turning point for my brand in terms of exposure, sales and press coverage,” said Carolina Chammas of Aura Headpieces. “This is a place where all the “it” people in fashion as well as socialites, fashionistas, buyers, stylists, editors and journalists converge to celebrate the best of what the Arab world has to offer in terms of fashion and design. I strongly recommend any young designer to participate in this experience and meet the fabulous team behind Fashion Forward. A unique and avant-garde platform that will only bring you forward,” said Chammas.
“Over the course of the four days we sold a fair amount of dolls but more importantly it gave our young brand incredible exposure to the region’s most discerning, whether it be press or potential customers,” said Sahar Wehbeh of Dumyé Dolls. “Dumyé is an online based business so for the first time people had an opportunity to hear our story first hand, snuggle our dolls before taking them home and offer us priceless feedback about what they wanted more of. It was a litmus test for future collections.  As designers, we spend a lot of time locked up in our studios, lost in our own creative fantasies. It was refreshing to be surrounded by likeminded individuals,” said Wehbeh.
Accessories designers wishing to apply for The Garden can do so through the FFWD website:

www.fashionforward.ae