Fashion Forward Dubai is now... EPIC

Local and regional fashion students and designers have reason to rejoice. Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) on Monday announced an empowerment programme dubbed EPIC (Empowerment Program through Industry Collaboration), to provide growth opportunities to regional talent.

The programme is designed to break down the barriers that are currently faced by regional design talents trying to find a footing in the fashion and retail industries.

Known industry names will be involved to organize events, workshops, sponsorship opportunities and scholarship programmes, among other measures, organisers announced, naming Samsung Electronics MENA as a partner.

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“EPIC is designed to nurture talents, working as a catalyst for creatives to benefit from sought-after industry resources while developing the skills and know-how needed to progress in an ever-growing and highly competitive landscape,” said Ramzi Nakad, COO and co-founder of FFWD in a statement.

The announcement comes soon after a report issued by the Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC) found that though the regional fashion industry is growing quickly, it has not reached optimal level yet. To enable it to keep growing, a number of systemic gaps need to be addressed — such as the link between educational institutions and the industry, the need for multi-disciplinary programmes, better access to investors and the market, and increased visibility. EPIC is designed to help bridge these gaps.

In 2016, EPIC will arrange a series of workshops for designers to learn from industry professionals, and will also provide scholarship opportunities for Master-level courses at the Domus Academy in Milan. Additionally, participants in the programme will be able to access retail opportunities at pop-up stores across the region, and interact with some of the biggest names in fashion at FFWD’s showroom space in Paris during Paris Fashion Week, and in Dubai during Season 8 of Fashion Forward, scheduled for October 20-23 this year.