logo
Arab Fashion Council launches $500,000 fund to support emerging designers

Arab Fashion Council launches $500,000 fund to support emerging designers

Trade Arabia15-04-2025
The Arab Fashion Council (AFC) has unveiled a new initiative set to reshape the future of fashion in the region and beyond: the AFC Fashion Fund, a $500,000 biennial commitment to support emerging designers.
Unlike traditional awards or cash prizes, the AFC Fashion Fund is a four-season brand-building accelerator designed to scale a visionary ready-to-wear (RTW) designer into a globally recognised force.
A future-first model
With only one designer selected every two years, the fund ensures unparalleled depth of support and personal investment. The chosen talent embarks on a two-year transformative journey, guided by global mentors, empowered by strategic market access, and supported by world-class production, retail, and media platforms, said the council.
What sets this fund apart
While most fashion funds offer a moment, the AFC Fashion Fund builds a movement — transforming designers into enduring global brands through a 360° framework that includes:
* Four seasons of global runway and market access: The fund provides designers with three fully produced runway seasons by AFC, encompassing every aspect—from casting and styling to content creation, public relations, and social media amplification. It also ensures showroom representation in Paris during pre-season markets, aligning seamlessly with the Resort and Pre-Fall calendars. Additionally, designers benefit from exclusive introductions to key buyers in strategic markets.
*Strategic e-commerce and regional expansion: To strengthen market reach, the fund supports tailored capsule collections, especially for key cultural moments like Ramadan and Eid in the Middle East. It also facilitates integration into prominent retail networks and platforms across the GCC, while developing bespoke e-commerce and digital marketing strategies to grow direct-to-consumer sales.
* Global collaboration challenge: One season is dedicated entirely to an exclusive collaboration with a globally recognised brand. This initiative, co-strategised by the AFC, is designed to enhance the designer's credibility and open up significant commercial opportunities, positioning them for long-term success.
* Continuous mentorship and brand strategy: Participants gain access to an elite advisory board made up of industry-leading editors, investors, buyers, and creative visionaries. The fund offers ongoing business coaching, guidance on pricing and collection planning, and support on intellectual property—ensuring designers grow not just creatively, but strategically.
Biennial format
Opening only once every two years, the AFC Fashion Fund is deeply selective and intentionally structured to create a high-impact journey for one designer at a time. This approach allows for meaningful investment, personalisation, and the cultivation of a prestigious alumni network that continues to shape the future of fashion.
Applications for the first cycle of the fund will open in June 2025, with the winner announced in October 2025. The selected designer will then begin their two-year journey, culminating in four runway seasons and global visibility by 2027.
'This is not a prize. It's an evolution. The AFC Fashion Fund is about turning a promising designer into a sustainable, export-ready brand that carries the spirit of our region onto the global stage,' said Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer, Arab Fashion Council.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

KSA Travellers Swap Long Breaks for High-Spend Getaways
KSA Travellers Swap Long Breaks for High-Spend Getaways

Daily Tribune

time01-07-2025

  • Daily Tribune

KSA Travellers Swap Long Breaks for High-Spend Getaways

Luxury wins Eid A growing number of Saudi residents chose short yet luxurious international holidays during the recent Eid Al Adha break, as data revealed a 25 percent rise in outbound travel from the Kingdom compared to last year. Visa's latest Travel Pulse report shows that nearly 7 in 10 KSA travellers preferred quick getaways over extended vacations, with shopping emerging as the dominant driver of spend. Retail focus abroad The UAE attracted the largest share of Saudi travellers, drawing 14 percent of all outbound tourists and accounting for nearly a quarter of the total international spending. Fashion and luxury brands dominated their purchases, with seven of the top ten merchants falling under the shopping and apparel category. Popular spending outlets included Dubai Duty Free, Cartier, and Hermes. On average, each Saudi visitor to the UAE spent $635 using Visa cards. Dining and entertainment were also major attractions, though shopping remained the focal point. Turkey came second as a preferred destination, capturing 9 percent of KSA travellers and 15 percent of overall holiday spend. Visitors to Turkey spent slightly more on average, with a per-card spend of $653. The UK, though attracting only 6 percent of travellers, recorded the highest average spend per card at $839, underscoring the country's strong appeal for high-end retail and luxury experiences. Pilgrim-driven growth at home While outbound travel surged, the Kingdom also welcomed a significant number of inbound visitors for the Hajj season. According to Visa, foreign pilgrim arrivals rose by 7 percent over the previous year, contributing to a 16 percent increase in spending inside Saudi Arabia. This growth was driven by everyday essentials. Food, medicine, and basic necessities formed the bulk of purchases by pilgrims, while spending on travel-related services and clothing remained relatively low. Overall in-Kingdom spending rose by 4 percent. Spending trends shift Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, said having simple and secure payment options remains critical during religious and leisure travel alike. He added that Visa aims to support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals by offering reliable cross-border payment experiences that encourage both domestic and international travel activity. Planning for next time Visa also issued recommendations to help businesses tap into this evolving travel-spend behaviour. These include exclusive cardholder partnerships, early booking rewards, and strengthening local staycation offers. With consumer behaviour during Eid now showing a clear divide between indulgent foreign escapes and essential spending at home, the season is no longer just a time for reflection but also a key moment in the region's economic calendar.

Saudi Arabia Launches 1447 AH Umrah Season Plan To Enrich Pilgrims' Spiritual Journey
Saudi Arabia Launches 1447 AH Umrah Season Plan To Enrich Pilgrims' Spiritual Journey

Gulf Insider

time29-06-2025

  • Gulf Insider

Saudi Arabia Launches 1447 AH Umrah Season Plan To Enrich Pilgrims' Spiritual Journey

Saudi Arabia's Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has officially launched its operational plan for the 1447 AH Umrah season, aiming to enhance the spiritual experience for millions of pilgrims and visitors. The plan, announced during a ceremony at the Presidency's headquarters in Mecca, is designed to provide a smooth and fulfilling religious journey for all. Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al Sudais, President of Religious Affairs, said the 1447 AH Umrah season will be guided by a service-centric approach, with the enrichment of spiritual and devotional experiences forming the plan's central objective. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between various government agencies and strategic partners to ensure unified and efficient implementation. The eight-month plan will unfold in three distinct phases, running until the end of Sha'ban 1447 AH, after which the separate Ramadan operational plan will take effect. On June 10, Saudi Arabia resumed issuing Umrah visas, followed by the start of Nusuk permit applications on June 11. The Ministry clarified key dates within the Umrah calendar: the deadline for approving contracts between Umrah companies and overseas agents is the first day of Sha'ban; the issuance of Umrah visas will cease on the first of Shawwal; and the final entry date for pilgrims will be the 15th of Shawwal. All pilgrims must depart the Kingdom by the first of Dhul Qi'dah.

Gurudeva Social Society Celebrates ‘Samanwayam 2025'
Gurudeva Social Society Celebrates ‘Samanwayam 2025'

Daily Tribune

time12-06-2025

  • Daily Tribune

Gurudeva Social Society Celebrates ‘Samanwayam 2025'

The Gurudeva Social Society, operating from Salmaniya Kanoo Garden, in collaboration with Star Vision Events, successfully organized 'Samanwayam 2025' at the Indian Club recently. The vibrant event marked the inauguration of the society's new executive committee for the year 2025-26 and concluded the silver jubilee celebrations held by the society last year. A highlight was the Mehndi Night held in conjunction with Eid. The musical night featuring Mappila songs and a one-man show by renowned singer and comedy artist Rajesh Adimali added to the grandeur of the ceremonies. The event, held in a packed auditorium with prominent figures from Bahrain's social, cultural, and political spheres, along with representatives from other organizations, family members, and children, was presided over by the society's chairman, Sanish Koorumullil. The chief guest, Idukki Member of Parliament Adv. Dean Kuriakose, inaugurated the function by lighting the traditional lamp. Special address Prominent businessman and Pravasi Bharathiya Samman Award recipient K. G. Baburajan delivered a special address as the guest of honor. The GSS Business Icon Award for this year was presented to Dr. K. S. Menon, a prominent businessman and Managing Director of Bordaan Contracting Company, by the chief guest. Shabeer M. K., Managing Director of Uniform City, was also felicitated at the ceremony

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store