NATIONAL: Charlie Brown, Nina Maya and Gina Kim are about to unravel the lucrative purse strings of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) fashion market.
The leading Australian womenswear designers will introduce their collections to buyers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Jordan as part of a trade initiative, AusStyle Dubai 2007. Joining the trio will be Ruth Tarvydas, Verduci-Smith, Ghost & Lola, Katie Hosking, Sacha Drake, Kimono Collections and Marniinako.
Organised by Australian Export Development agency Austrade, the showcase will run from November 4 to 7 with the first major event kicking off in the desert principality's newest luxury hotel, the Monarch Dubai.
Austrade's Dubai business development manager Milica Duric said Australian designers enjoyed several natural advantages over European competitors in the market.
"We both share warm weather throughout the year with less defined seasons than many Northern Hemisphere countries," she said. "The fabrics and styles Australian designers often choose are more compatible with local preferences than garments featured in European collections."
Austrade's Dubai-based senior trade commissioner Kym Hewett said the principality's growing international profile made it a haven for Australian designers.
"Dubai performs a vital role in the Middle East trade by re-exporting imported goods across the region. It is not only a lucrative market in its own right but the perfect springboard to the rapidly growing and dynamic UAE and beyond."
Hewett said participating labels would be given the opportunity to present their collections to top industry leaders. Styling would be provided by L'Oreal Profissionnel, makeup by Australian beauty brand Model Co and shoes by fashion footwear label Aldo.