A rough guide to..

Dubai Fashion week Lights, cameras, fashion

What is Dubai Fashion Week?

Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) is a fashion trade event aimed at bringing together major advocates of the fashion industry by providing them with a common platform. Overseen by an advisory board, DFW enables local and regional designers and fashion houses to present their collections to global and regional buyers, the media, fashion professionals and the general public.

The fifth season of the DFW, the autumn/winter 2009 show, will be held from April 6 to 9 at the Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers in Dubai.

How many designers are participating this season?

There will be 28 designers staking their claim to the DFW's catwalk, with entries including Walid Atallah, Reem Ali Beljafla, HSY, Hatem Alakeel, Amal Murad, Salma Khan, Amir Adnan and Mariam Al Mazro. Collections will range from couture to prêt à porter.

What's in it for the local fashion industry?

Following on from previous successful events, DFW is increasingly attracting high-profile designers and buyers from the region. It has also successfully developed enormous interest in young and emerging designers to showcase through the Emerging Talent show.

Dubai Fashion Week is a national event growing at a rapid pace in addition to generating revenue for the local industry. This event also enables designers to make their mark on the international fashion scene as well as the Middle Eastern collections.

Is it open to the general public?

Dubai Fashion Week is a 'by invitation only' fashion trade event.