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Abbati the event focused on modern Middle Eastern fashion that continues to pay tribute to traditional needs is back for a second outing at the Dubai Shopping Festival 2015 after a very successful inaugural edition last year.
The high fashion event has been extended to two days this year and will take place on the 19th and 20th of January 2015 at Armani Hotel Dubai, with a comprehensive platform of consumer and trade events that put the spotlight firmly on local and regional abaya trends.
The program at Abbati (which translates to My Abaya) this year will include elegant fashion shows, an exhibition space promoting modern interpretations of traditional Middle Eastern dress, an interactive workshop and an insightful seminar by the Islamic Fashion Design Council on the shifting sands of regional fashion trends.

Headlining Abbati 2015 will be a series of invite-only catwalk shows from 6pm to 9pm on the 19th and 20th January, which will feature collections by leading designers of abaya and other high-fashion Middle Eastern wear. These will include Hania, McQueen, Bedazzled and Maha Ghalayini on day one and ensembles by Kanzi, D.A.S Collection, Nabrman and Lamya Abedin (Queen of Spades) on the day two.

Visitors can look forward to a spectacular showcase of creations including one-of-a-kind abayas with silhouettes and hues inspired by the Far East and Central Asia, cosmopolitan block-printed, monochrome and jewel-toned pieces, cleverly designed sheer and opaque creations as well as traditional black abayas featuring cuffs, collars and hemlines detailed with delicate motifs or bolder hounds-tooth and geometric designs. The clothing collections will be complemented by high-impact hair and makeup looks created by Paris Gallery.

The fashion-forward creations will also be retailed in an adjacent exhibition area in the hotel over the course of the two-day event. The exhibition will be open to the public and will feature, in addition to the designers participating in the fashion show, exclusive ensembles by other popular modest-wear retailers and designers including Amber Feroz, Retro Designs, Elan, Native Dubai, HF Boutique, NAFS Designs, Rawiah Bagabas, Endemage, Epiphany and Crystal House. The retail exhibition on 19th January will be held from 4pm 11pm and on 20th January will take place from 10am to 10pm.
From 14th to 16th January 2015, shoppers at The Dubai Mall can look forward to getting a sneak preview of what will be on show at Abbati 2015. A beautiful display in the Souk Atrium will showcase a selection of signature pieces including abayas, kaftans and more, with a display screen offering more information about this years participants ahead of the fashion shows.

Another highlight of the Abbati 2015 program is the much-anticipated discussion on the evolving regional fashion landscape, set to take place at the Armani Hotel on 20th January at 11am. Entitled Whats Changed The New Muslim Outlook, the talk will be led by the founder of the Islamic Fashion Design Council and acclaimed Arabic fashion expert Alia Khan.

Building on the regions fascination with high-impact fashion, Crystal House Dubai will host a unique workshop entitled Accessory & Jewellery with Swarovski Element Crystals on 19th and 20th January from 7pm onwards.

Abbati 2015 is one of the most anticipated highlights of this years fashion-focused line-up of events for the 20th anniversary edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the 20th anniversary edition of DSF will take place until 1 February under the theme A Journey of Celebrations. DSF 2015 celebrates the festivals key pillars of Winning, Shopping and Entertainment offering citywide events, mega attractions and numerous shopping opportunities and winning options for visitors and residents from around the world.

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