Dubai fashion fiesta: It’s getting haute

A blitz of style, imagination and colour ... the Dubai Fashion Fiesta 2008 promises all this and more. Kickstarting at the Dubai World Trade Centre this evening, the four-day event features the creations of some daring European and Asian designers who have defied convention by rewriting the rules of fashion. XPRESS gives you the vital stats of the show.

The Falguni & Shane Peacock  (India)

The Falguni & Shane Peacock brand is synonymous with high luxury prêt, resort and evening wear. The Peacock label focuses on dresses that are dreamy, romantic and colourful. Embroidery is an integral part of Peacock couture and is used lavishly. "We want to wrap the female form in fluid silks with animal prints," say the designers.

The label experiments with fabrics like tweeds, knit, leather, cotton, velvet, satin and chiffons.

• Best known for: Its unique and exotic prints

 Rttu Kumar ( India)

Arguably India’s most popular designer, Ritu’s creations have won her wide acclaim, including the prestigious Priyadarshini award recently. It was Ritu who designed the complete wardrobe for Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta when they won international beauty pageants while representing India. Her outfits have been patronised by style icons such as the late Princess Diana and Jemima Khan.

• Best known for: Her book Costumes and Textiles of Royal India is published by Christie’s. The book chronicles the history of India’s royal patronage of textile arts over the centuries.

Larisa Katz (Netherlands)

Larizsa Katz has always been passionate about art and the wonders of the world as she sees it.

Katz’s inspiration of this year’s showcased collection is the mystical world below the sea.

• Best known for: Lending a timeless elegance to her dresses.

Amato ( Italy)

Taking its name from the Italian word for "beloved", Amato has consistently set new trends in ladies’ couture wear. Their annual fashion show is a much-anticipated event on the fashion calendar.

• Best known for: Evening wear dresses and gowns

Datin Noor Fatimah Ishak (Malaysia):

Ishak has been running her own boutique in Malaysia and her creations are immensely popular among the elite.

• Best known for: Batik work. Not just cotton, she does batik on contemporary textiles as well

Rohit Verma & Sanjeet Anand (India)

Launched recently, their label SARV Atelier promises to be the couture season’s biggest winner.

• Best known for: Their beautifully-crafted silhouettes.

Priyanka and Ruch (India)

A Mumbai-Delhi designer duo, Priyanka and Ruch, burst into the limelight when they started designing for celebs such as Mandira Bedi and Sharon Prabhakar. Their bespoke fashion label, Mystic Mantra, embodies subtle sophistication and has a sense of mysticism about it.

• Best known for: Creating the "Digi bling" line. Especially designed for Dubai, Digi bling is inspired by a vibrant collection of printed fabrics.

Jessica Joyce (Netherlands)

The 36-year-old designer is famous for her exclusive women’s wear line which sells in multi-label shops across Europe, USA and Japan.

Her elegant designs are known for their special graphical fabric arrangements, bright colours and delicate finishing touches.

• Best known for: Her sensual and spiritual dress collections.

Programme schedule

• July 24: Red Carpet reception and cocktail with DFF opening ceremony followed by fashion show. Time: 7.30pm
• July 25-July 26: Fashion shows and exhibitions. Time: 8pm
• July 27: Seminar on market trends, fashion show and exhibition followed by closing ceremony. Time: 8pm
• call hotline: 04-346 0040 for invitations