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19 March 2024

After Lady Gaga, UAE designer sets eyes on Madonna, Aishwarya

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By Amal Al Jabry

Lady Gaga wears Essa Walla

Dubai: Local designer Essa Walla was genuinely surprised when he was told that Lady Gaga wore his design during her recent visit to Dubai.

“I didn’t know about it until a friend showed me a picture of her wearing my design.”

“I didn’t expect it, she asked to see my creation, I sent it to her and she wore it! She had a choice of over 75 pieces.”

 Local designer Essa Walla

ESSA has become one of the biggest fashion labels in the Gulf.

The UAE designer has nabbed desirable awards including the Grazia Designer of the Year three years consecutively and has graced the cover of Fortune Arabia, Society Dubai, D-Journal and many more.

He is one the most–awaited fashion designers showcasing his collection at next month’s Fashion Forward, Dubai’s leading fashion movement where local designers get an international exposure – the event’s main focus.

Bong Guerrero, Founder and CEO of Fashion Forward said, “We’re here to magnify our own talent, I feel the world is slowly watching and listening to what we’re doing, we are slowly preparing ourselves for what is about to explode, we agree as a community that we’re here for that purpose.”

Bong Guerrero, Founder and CEO of Fashion Forward (Pic:courtesy Fashion Forward)

The 3-day upcoming event in Dubai from October 4 to 6 gives the spotlight to fashion designers from the region, with many participants already attracting worldwide attention and on the red carpet.

Jennifer Lopez wears Charbel Zoe (Pic: RCFA)

Superstar Jennifer Lopez at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards wore a creation by designer Charbel Zoe, while at last year’s edition singer Ellie Goulding wore Amato Couture by Furne One. And singer Paloma Faith donned a Michael Cinco dress straight from the Fashion Forward runway to the Met Gala last year.

Ellie Goulding dressed in Amato Couture by Furne One (Pic: Fashionawards)

Widely credited with transforming New York Fashion Week into one of the big four fashion events on the international circuit, native New Yorker Fern Mallis, was a key speaker at the last edition of Fashion Forward in April.

She said, “I love fashion weeks that are bringing new talents to the forefront, trying to do something for the country and for the talent in this area.”

Fern Mallis (Pic: Business of Fashion)

“I really love how Dubai is positioning itself to be the fashion capital of the region,” explained  the widely followed fashion blogger Bryanboy, a well-known name in the industry who also attended the event earlier this year.

His popularity has even earned him a bag named after him by designer Marc Jacobs.

Fashion blogger Bryanboy (Pic: Bryanboy)

He added, ”It’s a great place for up and coming designers and even accessory designers, and a great way to get your presence felt”

Stamping their presence and attracting worldwide attention, several UAE designers have garnered significant orders from top retailers including:  Dima Ayad who has sold to House of Fraser, accessories designer Nathalie Trad with Harvey Nichols, Amira Haroon with Harrods and Essa securing orders with Dadu Luxe.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. (AFP)

Following the viral success of dressing up the iconic Gaga, UAE designer Essa’s eyeing up local celebrities for his future creations, as well as, “Madonna and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan” in particular.