Start getting dressed for Dubai Fashion 2006, the Dubai Shopping Festival event presented by BurJuman that brings the best of international fashion to Dubai's catwalk.
Held under the patronage of Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, Dubai Fashion 2006 will run alongside the shopping festival with organisers aiming to match the spectacle and excitement of major fashion weeks around the world.
Five of the biggest names in the world of fashion - Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Emanuel Ungaro, Sonia Rykiel and Kenzo - will present their latest collections fresh from their launch at Paris Fashion Week, even before they are showcased in New York.
The decision to premiere such high profile collections in Dubai at the start of the fashion season is seen as a reflection of the Middle East's rising importance in the international scene and demonstrates the ongoing success of Dubai Fashion week - now in its third year.
Gratitude
Saeed Mohammad Al Nabouda, CEO, Dubai Shopping Festival, said: "First, on behalf of DSF, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum for her continuous endorsement of this sparkling event from day one. Second, BurJuman, I am proud to say, is one of our most active sponsors. Our relationship goes back seven years and we have been working hand-in-hand for the last one year for Dubai Fashion and Creations. Now we also have the 1st International Fashion Photography Festival, bringing the number of events under the Dubai Fashion 2006 umbrella to three."
Al Nabouda added: "BurJuman today is a high-class shopping mall in the emirate, housing top international brands under one roof. This, I feel, is the right destination for a world-class event such as Dubai Fashion 2006. We look forward to a long innings with BurJuman in the future."
Making headlines
Essa Adam Ebrahim, general manager, BurJuman, said: "Dubai Fashion 2006 will make headlines and turn heads, by hosting some of the maestros of the fashion world as they present their latest designs to the Middle East and the world at large."
"The event looks all set to be a major highlight of Dubai Shopping Festival 2006 and will raise the bar for fashion-related events across the region. As the home of high fashion in the region, BurJuman is a natural partner for this exciting event."
Two shows will be held daily from January 17 to January 19, 2006, at the Dubai Park Hyatt hotel, with one show dedicated to women only.
In the run-up to Dubai Fashion 2006, BurJuman will join Dubai Park Hyatt in hosting the 1st International Fashion Photography Exhibition from January 10 to January 22.
This unique collection of photographs will present the latest Cannes images along with a special tribute to award-winning photographers Hans Feurer and Jean-Daniel Lorieux.
Creations 2006
Also starting in January, BurJuman will host Creations 2006, a two-week celebration of the work of the region's upcoming and professional designers, running from January 21 through to February 3.
In the first week, BurJuman will offer upcoming fashion designers a platform to premiere their creations and showcase their ideas, with daily shows at the mall.
In the second week, prominent Iraqi, Lebanese, Kuwaiti, Indian, Egyptian and Pakistani designers will premiere their latest creations.
Following the fashion shows, all designs will be exhibited for sale at BurJuman.
