Dubai Design & Fashion Council (DDFC) in partnership with the FAD Institute of Luxury, Fashion & Style Dubai (FAD Dubai) is happy to announce that Marwa Sayed Abdelazim Afify, from Three Fifty-Nine, has been selected for a sponsored participation at Fashion Scout London Spring Summer 2019, to be held during London Fashion Week, between the 14^th and the 17^th of September, 2018.

Entering its fourth season, the DDFC x FAD Dubai Fashion Showcase is a platform offered exclusively to in5/DDFC members, who answer to an open call inviting fashion designers to apply for an opportunity to showcase at Fashion Scout London, during London Fashion Week. Earlier editions of the DDFC/FAD Dubai Fashion Showcase have enabled the participation of UAE-based brands Azzalia, Deborah Henning, Amira Haroon and Dee by Dalia.

Commenting on the winner selection, Jazia Al Dhanhani, CEO of DDFC, said: “Marwa has shown a great professional and creative development from her participation on previous seasons. We are proud to support her very first international show through the DDFC x FAD Dubai Fashion Showcase. It is a testament to the value of our partnership with FAD Dubai, and our commitment to showcasing exceptional talent from our region.”

She also added: “Showcasing opportunities such as this are an integral part of the in5/DDFC membership, which places a solid focus on promotion, business support and talent development, and is just one out of the many advantages of being an in5/DDFC member.”

The selection process was carried out by an internal committee, and six designers were shortlisted to present their collections to the final jury. The judging panel included: Shivang Dhruva, Founder of FAD Institute of Luxury, Fashion & Style Dubai; Sass Brown, Founding Dean of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) and Francois Schweitzer, General Manager Business Development, Chalhoub Group.

Member of in5/DDFC since July 2017, Dubai-based fashion designer Marwa is the creative mind behind Three Fifty Nine, a young, contemporary ready-to-wear brand targeted at fashion connoisseurs who seek uniqueness. The brand is defined by its relation with the visual arts, creating pieces of wearable art with a twist for the contemporary audiences.

Shivang Dhruva, Founder and Director of FAD institute of Luxury, Fashion & Style in Dubai also added: “We are working alongside DDFC, international platforms and global industry leaders to support Middle East’s emerging fashion talent and build a sustainable ecosystem for students, emerging designers and industry. Over the last two years we have trained over 200 talents in fashion design, retail, luxury, fashion marketing and styling and we are delighted to have reciprocal industry support for our students. Exciting to see how regional talent is evolving and we look forward to Marwa showcasing at the DDFC x FAD Dubai Fashion Showcase during London Fashion Week.”

Aimed at further supporting the development of talented designers in the UAE and the region, DDFC has recently joined forces with in5 through an integrated membership programme aimed at developing Dubai’s vibrant and engaging entrepreneurial ecosystem. The membership is an enabling platform for students, entrepreneurs and startups looking to create, connect and develop their skills in the design, media and technology sectors.

Fashion Scout London will be held from the 14^th to the 17^th of September, 2018.