The Dubai Fashion Week (DFW), showcased under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hend Al Qassemi, once again received accolades and rave reviews with its recent staging at The Palazzo Versace in Dubai. Actor-producer Zenofer Fathima was among the key highlights of the event as she graced the Royal Gala catwalk for leading luxury fashion brand House of Hend.

Sheikha Hend has always been a staunch supporter of the Arab fashion industry, undertaking initiatives such as the DFW to promote local and regional fashion designers to the world. House of Hend, which is a poetic expression of creativity from the Sheikha was a major sponsor, tradeshow participant and runway designer for DFW. Symbolic of ‘luxury meets style’, House of Hend’s showcase for this year’s event reflects the brand’s timeless sophistication with  rich elegant embroidery, delicate details and feminine silhouettes that carry a royal flair.

Zenofer, who gained prominence for her original film projects carrying strong social message,  was every inch as elegant and confident as the other professional models featured on the DFW runway.

“I make clothes for strong women; I don’t make clothes for weak women. For a weak woman to wear my clothes, she will feel empowered. She will feel like she is a business tycoon, a mother, a woman of achievement, a woman who deserves respect and happiness,” Sheikha Hend said.

“I am happy to have Zenofer on my show as I see her as a genuine House of Hend woman. Zenofer is a mother, producer, director, writer, businesswoman – she has proven herself to be a woman of power. She is the kind of woman we need in today’s time. We need to encourage women in our society to be like her, so that more and more will strive and believe that they can be anyone they wish and want to be,” the Sheikha added.

For her part, Zenofer commented, “I’ve always been interested in fashion, so this is really exciting to me. But more importantly, to be a part of the House of Hend show and wearing one of Sheikha Hend’s original creations is one proud moment for me. I consider this a privilege, an unmatched recognition for everything that I have achieved and for what I have become because of my dedication to hard work.”

Zenofer, Founder and CEO for Zen Productions, is widely recognized for using her short films  to promote awareness on important issues shaping today’s society. In addition to independent movies, she has also been doing extensive work  producing lifestyle and fashion documentaries, as well as television shows, all which are in line with her goal of promoting homegrown talents.

DFW, first launched in 2006, is seen to boost Dubai’s  growing reputation as an international center of fashion. It  happens twice a year and aims to be the next stop on the international fashion week circuit following New York, London, Milan and Paris. Each season, DFW prides itself in showcasing the most rapidly growing designers in the region on the forefront of fashion including Ready-to-Wear and Couture from across the GCC and from other parts of the Middle East, such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and UAE, as well as guest designers from all over the world, including Malaysia, Thailand, Russia, Cuba, Mexico, US, France and Italy.