Arab Fashion Council

The Arab Fashion Council (AFC) is a big non-profit group for fashion in the Arab World. It has 22 members from the Arab League. The AFC is based in Dubai. Its job is to help Arab fashion designers and share fashion culture.

The council works with many people in the fashion industry. This includes designers, models, photographers, hair stylists, make-up artists, and art directors. The AFC also makes rules to keep models safe and helps fashion schools in Arab countries.

History

The Arab Fashion Council started with Cav. Mario Boselli as its first honorary president. He was the former president of the Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana.

On 18 December 2017, the council opened its office in Riyadh. It held the first fashion week in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, called "Arab Fashion Week".

On 7 December 2015, Jacob Abrian became the council’s chief executive officer. He was the youngest person to hold that job.

In 2021, the council worked with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. This partnership led to the first Fashion Week showing men's clothing. The event lasted three days and was held online from Dubai. It is planned to happen twice every year with other men’s fashion weeks.

Activities

The Arab Fashion Council holds two big events each year, called Dubai Fashion Week. This is the main fashion show in Dubai and the Arab World. It is one of the world's most famous fashion weeks, along with London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. During Dubai Fashion Week, designers from all 22 Arab countries show their clothes.

The first Riyadh Fashion Week took place in Saudi Arabia in April 2018. In 2020, because of COVID-19, the Arab Fashion Council held Dubai Fashion Week online. Later that year, they also helped Arab designers show their work during Paris Fashion Week.

Education

The Arab Fashion Council works with top fashion schools and the UNESCO office in Doha, Qatar. It helps improve fashion education and offers scholarships for Arab students. Each year, students compete to study fashion design in Dubai, both for their first year of college and for advanced studies.