Fustany Team 
It's Day 2 of Fashion Forward Dubai Season 8, and the hype is absolutely still on! Prior to the madness of Fashion Forward Dubai's eighth edition, we had a little chat with some of the fashion designers who'll be presenting their Spring/Summer 2017 collections today. Scroll through to have an idea of what you can expect at Day 2 of Fashion Forward Dubai Season 8.
1. Salta
Introduce yourself.
My name is Saltanat, and I am the founder and the designer of SALTA fashion label.
What makes Fashion Forward Dubai different than any other fashion week?
I love the energy of Fashion Forward Dubai as it represents all the best features of the city itself – diverse, multi-national, a perfect mixture of wise and modest East and free-spirited trendy West.This ethnic cocktail inspires a lot – where else one can find it?
Tell us about the process of preparing for Fashion Forward Dubai.
This season it was surprisingly calm. For the first time in my life, I am not running in chaos, I have found peace in my heart and I hope it is a good sign!
Describe your collection in 3 words.
Freedom. Love. Harmony.
A fashion rule that you believe every fashion savvy woman should break is…
Mix colors, shapes and trends in a way that no one would ever expect you to do. This is the only way to find your personal signature style.
2. Said Mahrouf
Introduce yourself.
I received my degree in fashion design after studying at The Amsterdam Rietveld Academy and The Pratt Institute in New York. I initially focused on site-specific performances and costume design. Through the years, my attention shifted towards fashion design. By starting my own label, I participated in numerous fashion events like Prêt-à-Porter Paris Salon, several editions of the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Amsterdam, Festimode-Casablanca Fashion Week, the Mediterranean Design & Fashion Week in Italy - Indonesia Fashion Week in Jakarta and several editions of Fashion Forward in Dubai.
What makes Fashion Forward Dubai different than any other fashion week?
For me, it’s absolutely the people who attend the shows. It’s extremely diverse even though the majority is Arabic. This creates a unique atmosphere that you would not find anywhere in the world. At least not from my own experience to where I have presented my work before.
Tell us about the process of preparing for Fashion Forward Dubai.
As we speak, I am answering these questions when my mind is on the looks still missing and only having tonight to finish them as I am traveling with the collection tomorrow to Dubai. This collection started with three pieces of striped woven material in three different colors that I wanted to use, but not knowing which direction in would lead. So I just made three looks from these fabrics, and from there the collection grew. Taking the idea of stripes and turning them in to panels of fabric that I then draped strategically to create the silhouettes. I still need to do a fitting with half of the looks, which will happen during the fitting with the models three days before my show. Keeping fingers crossed it will all fit the way I envisioned. Hair and make up is an important part to the presentation. This will be finalized during the fitting as well. Then it’s all about the rehearsal where all the elements come together such as choreography, music, light, etc. Then, the show starts and as a designer you hope everything goes smoothly.
Describe your collection in 3 words.
Stripes, gold-thread, elegance.
A fashion rule that you believe every fashion savvy woman should break is…
Following trends!
3. Bedouin
Introduce yourself.
My name is Andraya Farrag and I am the designer and founder of Bedouin.
What makes Fashion Forward Dubai different than any other fashion week?
Fashion Forward is an amazing platform that I have always been very proud to be a part of. The event allows emerging brands such as Bedouin to showcase their collections in a professional setting in front of the fashion lovers of the region. Unlike many international fashion weeks, FFWD is open to the public allowing us to celebrate the new collections with the women that have been following our journey from the start. Fashion Forward is really nurturing the designers, by offering guidance and support, which in turn is going to do wonders for the industry as a whole.
Tell us about the process of preparing for Fashion Forward Dubai.
I always think preparing for the runway will get easier, but each season the collections are bigger and more creative and the styling and choreography gets more complex! This season was particularly demanding as we participated in London and Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend, and then created additional items specifically for the Middle Eastern market. I hope you like them!
Describe your collection in 3 words.
Spontaneous, colorful, fresh.
A fashion rule that you believe every fashion savvy woman should break is…
Always dress for yourself! Personal style is a way of expressing yourself, so I believe in wearing flattering items that bring out your inner confidence over anything.
P.S. Follow us day by day to get an insider's look at Fashion Forward Dubai Season 8, and meet the designers who'll be showcasing their Spring/Summer 2017 collections.
