Welcoming over 400,000 visitors from around the world, Dubai officially joined the league of global fashion capitals with the inaugural Vogue Dubai Fashion Experience, a celebration of high fashion, held for the first time in the Middle East, at The Dubai Mall.

Attended by the crème-de-la-crème of world’s fashion industry, the show, which was organised by Emaar and Vogue Italia, also raised Dh5 million ($1.36 million) for Dubai Cares, the charity founded by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote the primary education of children in underprivileged communities globally.

In a grand celebration of the global fashion industry and the style-trends, over 250 global brands took part highlighting their newest and representative collections.

Proceeds from the sale of specially created merchandise for the event were also donated to Dubai Cares, highlighting the social commitment of the fashion industry to bring positive change.

Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar said:"With Vogue event, our city has clearly established its credentials as a fast-growing global fashion capital. The remarkable success of the event will further catalyse Dubai’s fashion retail sector, attracting discerning and trend-savvy customers to our city and to The Dubai Mall, which showcases the largest assortment of luxury brands."

"We are also privileged to have made a difference to the world, through the event’s support to Dubai Cares, which will bring smile, hope, and brighter futures for children through the power of education," he stated.

Franca Sozzani, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, dubbed the event as a fantastic demonstration of Dubai’s positivity and global outlook.

"This is a city that inspires people to deliver their best, and we saw that in the creations of the young designers who got one of the first platforms to present their works. Fashion also has a higher role to play, and we proved that through our support to Dubai Cares," she observed.

Among the high profile guests at the event were: Donatella Versace, Roberto Cavalli and Silvia Fendi, as well as renowned designers Riccardo Tisci, Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared, Remo Ruffini, and Philipp Plein, among others, who today define the newest trends in the global fashion industry.

Super models Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova, Eva Riccobono and Afef Jnifen (who also served as the event’s MC), French actress Clotilde Marie Pascale Courau, and film celebrities including Sabrina Ouzani, and Amelle Chahbi attended the event.

Celebrated Italian operatic tenor Vittorio Grigolo regaled the audience with his soulful renditions at the charity auction.

The other celebrities in attendance, representing the artistic and cultural scene included: Italian danseur and principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and guest artist at La Scala Theatre Ballet, Roberto Bolle; singer and TV celebrity Maya Diab; photographer and Emmy Award-nominated director Francesco Carrozzini; art curator Francesco Bonami and artist Francesco Vezzoli.

Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, Italian television personality, a member of the House of Savoy; Jonathan Newhouse, the chairman and CEO of Conde Nast International; Gianpaolo Grandi, VP of Conde Nast International VP; Ettore Mocchetti, the editor-in-chief of AD Italy; and Luca Dini, the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair Italy, were among other high profile guests.

A highlight of the evening was the fashion show at Fashion Catwalk in The Dubai Mall, displaying the works of eight emerging regional and international designers including: Wadha Al Hajri from Qatar; Mohammed Ashi and Razan Alazzouni from Saudi Arabia; Lulwa Al Amin from Bahrain; Ituen Basi from Nigeria; Simone Rocha from Ireland; Andrea Incontri from Italy; and Esme Vie from Russia. All of the young designers were mentored by Sozzani.

Captivating visitors to the mall was the stunning displays by over 250 international fashion brands such as Versace, Armani, Valentino, Chanel, Dior, Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy and Dolce & Gabbana.

The exclusive photography exhibit of 50 of the most iconic covers of Vogue Italia featured some ground-breaking covers with women of different age and race that helped establish the magazine as one of the most influential in the fashion industry.

Visitors also had the opportunity to experience the ‘super model experience’ by customising the cover of Vogue Italia with their own portrait shot by a professional photographer.

An eco-friendly section presented short films on 'green' projects as well as collections as examples of the sustainable initiatives of Vogue Italia’s editorial staff.

The Vogue event was supported by: Emirates Airline, Audi, Sephora, MBC, MasterCard and Cruciani.-TradeArabia News Service