Delhi to Dubai

12 designers, handpicked from the DFW will showcase their collections in a two-day event on January 18-19 in Dubai. Itee Dewan tells more.

In an effort to counter the global melt-down by exploring new markets for Indian fashion, Delhi fashion week is looking towards the city of riches - Dubai. 12 designers, handpicked from the Delhi Fashion week, will showcase their collections in a two-day event on January 18-19 in Dubai.

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Sumeet Nair of Fashion Foundation of India says, “It’s a first ever initiative of its kind in India. We are trying to develop a new market for our designers who are facing a difficult time because of the recession. Middle east has a lot of potential in terms of buyers.” He goes on to clarify that it doesn’t mean Fashion Foundation of India’s fashion week will eventually move to Dubai. “This is separate, the fashion week in Delhi wouldn’t discontinue,” he says.

Dubai’s fashion fair will have over 200 buyers from across the Middle East. Though the names of Indian participants haven’t been disclosed for now, some names that are doing the rounds are Alpana and Neeraj of Azara and Anamika Khanna. Calling it an international concept, Nair says, “Internationally, fashion weeks like Paris or Milan have similar formats.” FFI plans to take this fashion initiative to other parts of the world after testing the middle east market.