13 designers to look out for at Fashion Forward Dubai

Fashion Forward Dubai is returning for four days of high-fashion festivities

A sketch by designer Furne One for Amato 

A sketch by designer Mousa Al Awfi for Atelier Zuhra 

A sketch by Behnoode 

Sketches by designer Christian Cowan 

Sketches by Egyptian-Italian label Maison Farah Wali 

A sketch by Michael Cinco 

A sketch by designer Mariam Yeya for Mrs Keepa

Sketches by Reemami designer Reema Al Banna

A sketch by Tanya Skaff 

After a two-year hiatus, Fashion Forward Dubai will return to Dubai Design District from October 30 to November 2.

For the first time, the event will offer a "shop-now" platform. Guests will have access to pop-up shops at D3, while online shoppers from all over the world, too, can make their purchases digitally at the same time. On the calendar is an impressive line-up of veteran and emerging local, international and couture designers.

While the latest collections will be unveiled at FFWD, click through the gallery above to see sketches of what to expect, and here are some names to know.

1. Amato

The brainchild of Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One and textile expert Rashid Ali, Amato has dressed celebrities including Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

2. Arwa Al Banawi  

The Saudi Arabian designer is known for her tailored suits and sports-luxe eveningwear with a subtly androgynous edge, designed for “women on the go”.

3. Atelier Zuhra

Fresh from London Fashion Week – where designer Mousa Al Awfi presented a luxurious denim street-style collection with gold metal butterflies and mirror mosaic – the Dubai-based Omani label is known for its feminine silhouettes and delicate embroidery.

4. Behnoode

An Italian label by an Iranian designer, Behnood is all about quality fabrics and fine tailoring.

5. Christian Cowan

Cowan counts Alexander McQueen and Lady Gaga as his fashion muses; the latter has worn his glowing creations for many a performance, as have Beyonce and Cardi B. Sequins and sparkle aside, the designer is known for his penchant for vinyl, feathers and mesh.

6. Hass Idriss

The Lebanese designer and painter merges his passion for fashion and art in his collections,

7. Jessica K

A contemporary ready-to-wear designer from Beirut, Jessica Khoueiri-Achkar is all about paradox: think leather and lace, gold accents in sporty silhouettes and easy-to-wear yet edgy collections.

8. Maison Farah Wali

The Egyptian-Italian label describes its garments as a “walking canvas of wearable art”, which use recycled fabric and sustainable ink.

9. Michael Cinco

With a client list that reads like the who's who of the red carpet, the Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco is all about traffic-stopping couture gowns.

10. Mrs Keepa

A ready-to-wear brand by French-Egyptian designer Mariam Yeya, Mrs Keepa seeks inspiration from glamorous vintage cuts and outfits, and is aimed at the savvy yet sassy woman.

11. Reemami

Palestinian designer Reema Al Banna from Dubai began her career in graphic design, a skill that reflects in her playfully illustrated pieces.

12. Roni Helou

The Lebanese designer’s namesake label offers statement pieces that are unique adaptations of wardrobe classics, like a white ­button-down shirt and a pinstripe tuxedo vest. Deconstructed shirts and utilitarian silhouettes are the young designer’s forte, and his signature pieces include trousers with knee-high slits and jumpsuits with edgy cut-outs.

13. Tanya Skaff

The menswear and womenswear designer was raised in Africa, and seeks to tell a story with her combination of textiles and technology. The Real Life line, for example, is based on a person born in the 1960s, who is fascinated by the mechanics of things that turn, move and rotate.