Sole DXB Announces New D3 Marketplace For 2019
Sole DXB announces the addition of the d3 Marketplace in collaboration with Dubai Design District (d3) to its already impressive agenda. The new format will house 12 breakout brands from the region and further afield, who will be showcasing their latest collections, limited edition products and pre-season drops, exclusive to Sole DXB 2019.
The d3 Marketplace will be an independent area focused on giving talented, emerging brands a platform to tap into the global audience at Sole DXB. Representing a roster of womenswear, menswear and accessories, the concept is committed to championing independent brands that incorporate new generation practices, including upcycling, innovative streetwear materials, or community-based initiatives. The curated concept is aligned with Sole DXB and d3’s ongoing efforts to support local and independent communities.
“We are proud of our continued strategic partnership with Sole DXB, which has proven to be a huge success since 2014.” says Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director at Dubai Design District (d3). “This year, we are excited to launch the d3 Marketplace, a new initiative that aims to nurture local and international independent brands, giving them an opportunity to showcase their products and widen their consumer base within the region. We hope to give visitors a unique experience and introduce them to an even larger selection of urban wear.”
The specially curated d3 Marketplace brands represent global talent from Australia, Nigeria, South Africa, Russia, the Netherlands and India. Focusing on emerging brands, each with their own flair, the Marketplace concentrates on new, breakthrough talent coming from all corners of the world.
“Feels good to be invited to a great event like this,” says Jack Ferguson from Australian fashion label Jungles Jungles. “The culture behind Sole DXB aligns with our brand really well so it will be a great way to intro to this part of the world where we currently do not have much of a presence. We will be making some exclusive customised items for the event, but most notably we are working on a crazy Italian made shoe collaboration which we recently decided we will launch at Sole DXB.”
The d3 Marketplace will also be a platform for emerging local talent such as Dubai-based Engy Mahdy of the gender neutral, sustainable brand, One and Four Studio.
“I’ve been to the last three years of Sole DXB – I remember thinking back in 2016 that this is something I’d like to be a part of once I launched my brand,” says the Egyptian designer. “We are both home-grown with a global vision. We are big fans of the platform Sole DXB has created and believe it will be a great boost for us. Select pieces from the new Autumn collection will be available for sale at the stand and there will definitely be some Sole DXB specific pieces including bags, slogan tees, hoodies, and accessories. We’re creating these with the Dubai scene in mind.”
The full 12 brands showcasing at Sole DXB will be:
Inspired by the streets and skateparks of Cape Town, the high quality separates from skateboarder Salik Harris and team bring modern shapes and prints to everyday wear. Harris returns to Sole DXB, this time with merchandise to share with festival-goers (his highlights from last year include seeing legend Roxanne Shante wear a Leaf Apparel hoodie for her talk). Want to get on board? Think fine printed tracksuits and an array of utility vests so stylish that wearing the garment for any actual work purposes would be a crime. Expect an exclusive capsule range for Sole DXB.
Azra
Brainchild of Dubai-based Azra Khamissa, this homegrown brand is a masterclass in producing beautifully minimalist bags in soft and structured leather. The ethically-sourced premium accessories use camel leather and come in a rich variety of hues and forms. The brand has evolved to involve the input of regional artists to expand into new shapes and concepts.
Step away from the mundane, the fear, the worries, and the every day chores, and escape to the world of the Australian style-haven of Jungles Jungles. The eclectic mix of slogan hoodies, tie-dye separates, cleverly expressive tees and ingeniously kitch accessories, takes the streetwear fan to a place where looking good is key, and everything besides can be put on hold.
Urban wear meets upscale tailoring with an air of grace and edge at One and Four Studio. The Dubai-based label started with menswear that could be worn by ‘all humans’ alike before expanding into womenswear and now expanding into unisex pieces in an effort to make more sustainable fashion. Although, the amount of production and durability of the items are artfully monitored, the clothes lose nothing in the way of quality, comfort or aesthetic.
Brother-sister duo, Avni and Ambar Aneja are the brains behind the ‘New India’ brand that combines elements of art, humour, technical design and a desire to ask questions of society’s accepted norms. Colour-popping daywear, distressed denims, tongue-in-cheek and pop-art inspired tees all make their collections a hit with anyone who’s not afraid to add some ‘fierce’ to their fashion.
Relaxed yet considered tailoring merges with streetwear feels when it comes to the ready-to wear offering from Cape Town’s Selfi. A delicately delicious pallete of colours and cuts leave no space for prints or fuss, but gives the wearer a modern aesthetic that defines the meaning of the word ‘cool’.
Streetwear that is unisex, reversible, detachable, and interchangeable and designed by five talented females that all bring different but equally fine-tuned skills to the design table definitely sounds like a recipe for success, and the Reconstruct Collective from Amsterdam seldom disappoint. Innovative and progressive pieces for every shape and size are the order of the day.
Whether your alliance is more Britney Spears than Travis Scott…or you’re equally up for wearing Rihanna on your chest as you are Snoop or Tupac – this Dubai-based brand’s ‘Shirts That Hurt’ collection has something for every Hip Hop fan and beyond. When Vent isn’t helping display your music tastes to the public, the independent label offers high-end urban wear pieces that bring individualism to the street savvy youth.
This exciting collective of skateboarders, BMX riders, graffiti artists, photographers, musicians, graphic designers and video directors from Lagos, Nigeria are expressing and celebrating the subcultures of Africa through an array of logo tees, printed ‘uncle shirts’ sports jerseys and a collection of accessories that are of such an epic standard they should be collectors items: think pins, lighters, towels, skateboard wheels and more.
Faces&Laces Locals
Faces&Laces Locals is an online platform that represents FACES&LACES independent vision of the Russian street fashion scene. It unites charismatic, already grown brands and fresh, quickly evolving young projects inspired by progressive street culture. The platform makes it possible for those who are interested in local street fashion to find and order items from the latest drops and merch products of FACES&LACES.
DOPECLVBWORLD (Presented by Russian arts collective Faces&Laces Locals)
This is fashion that wouldn’t be out of place in an art gallery. Experimental and beautiful imagery is juxtaposed with the casual and oversized garments that are its canvas. Everything about Russian label DOPECLVBWORLD is striking and innovative, which makes it a must-have addition to every streetwear wardrobe.
Liars Collective (Presented by Russian arts collective Faces&Laces Locals)
With a name and logo this good, why wouldn’t you print it on everything from clothing, key rings, totes, money wallets, plastic bags and toothbrushes. Turn it upside down, swap the colour and even change the font – the message from Liars Collective remains the same: ‘It’s a liar’s world we live in.’ Clever, thought-provoking and plain and simple great to look at – join the queue to lose some truth while you’re shopping.
Xzavier Zulu – #asitseamsEVERYTHINGISASAMPLE
The new godfather of denim, Xzavier Zulu is a busy man, and so he should be, as he launches his newly founded fashion label: -ism*, while also teasing #asitseamsEVERYTHINGISASAMPLE – his upcoming collaboration with Levi’s. The three look capsule collection for Levis expresses Zulu’s love of denim and utilitarian wear by reconstructing pieces from the brands in-line catalog as well as thrifted pieces throughout his years. Limited to only three units per style, the #asitseamsEVERYTHINGISASAMPLE capsule collection will launch at this year’s Sole DXB.
Tania George
Tania George is dedicated to creating contemporary clothing that tells stories about Jordan. It is a ready to wear womenswear brand with some unisex pieces. The designs are playful and quirky and the inspiration behind the collections comes from the hidden gems of everyday life in Jordan, highlighting beautiful details like musical gas trucks and excessively decorated pick-up trucks. Tania plays with her own world of illustrated prints and handcrafted works with a mellow youthful aesthetic and a lot of colour.
