Beauty & Style | Wednesday 31 August, 2016 11:14 am |

Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD), the definitive regional fashion platform, has welcomed Baume & Mercier as a celebratory sponsor of Season Eight. During the four day, bi-annual event from October 20th – 23rd 2016, Baume & Mercier will host a series of activations at the bespoke location, Hai 3 at Dubai Design District (d3). 

As part of the luxury watch brand’s collaboration with FFWD, Baume & Mercier will partner with three of the region’s top fashion stylists tasked to create a photoshoot featuring FFWD apparel designers and inspired by Petite Promesse, a new women’s collection to be officially launched at the regional fashion event. The series of images will be inspired by the characters represented in each watch: playful, mischievous and powerful. The gallery of images will be presented to FFWD guests at the Baume & Mercier showcase, along with an array of engaging activities by the luxury watchmaker. 

The chosen stylists are Teresa Karpinska, Samantha Francis and Salma Awwad. 

Speaking of the collaboration, Teresa said, "I have had the pleasure to over the last decade work and grow alongside the ever evolving fashion industry in the UAE. My career path has been rewarding to say the least and up until this day I occasionally have to pinch myself when reflecting over my journey. I would love nothing more but to pay it forward by contributing to the emerging designer scene that is so carefully curated and nourished by the Fashion Forward team. I bring a dash of expertise and experience to the table alongside of endless levels of enthusiasm. When I read up on the ethos of the Petite Promesse collection by Baume & Mercier I felt in an instant that it was a perfect match. Understated effortless elegance has been the theme of all my work - make it my editorial styling or my social media presence. Timeless, feminine and made for the modern independent woman, one who is always open to embracing opportunities - I can't help to feel that this piece will make my ever-so-sunny days a little (lot) brighter.”

Salma comments on her approach to the project, "Never play by the rules. Never adhere to someone else's definition of success. Craft your own place in this world and make sure it's deliciously beautiful while you're at it! That's why I naturally gravitated towards Baume & Mercier's ode to the mischievous that lives in every woman, and capturing that quality through the eyes of local talent makes it ever more exciting. I can't wait to reveal the results of this unique amalgamation between local and global designers at Fashion Forward."

Samantha adds, “Be inspired and inspire others” has always been my main core value in life. With this in mind I am extremely excited to collaborate with Baume & Mercier and Fashion Forward. We constantly seem to seek outside of Dubai to get inspired however we sometimes oversee how amazingly inspiring our regional talent actually is. By bringing these designers together with Baume & Mercier, I can’t wait to show my vision on how I interpret the theme of my Petite Promesse watch - The playful one. Expect to see lots of colours, movements and fun vibes!”

Ramzi Nakad, COO and co-founder of FFWD said, “At FFWD we believe in partnering with like-minded brands that look to support and empower the growing design talent in the Middle East. Creating opportunities for regional designers to collaborate with reputable brands such as Baume & Mercier further supports our vision of providing a platform for regional and international visibility while offering invaluable experience.” 

“It is with great pleasure that we collaborate for the first time with FFWD to launch Baume & Mercier’s latest feminine collection: Petite Promesse. On this occasion, we have the opportunity to celebrate a special moment of style, elegance and femininity by supporting top talent from the region through this special activation that is surely a unique one, unconventional for a watchmaker, yet definitely in line with the trends of our ever-changing millennial world!” stated Stanislas Rambaud, Brand Manager of Baume & Mercier in the Middle East and India.

 

Entering its eighth season, Fashion Forward Dubai showcases a carefully edited selection of the Middle East’s most coveted ready-to-wear, couture, accessory and jewellery designers. The upcoming four-day event will be hosted at the custom built space, Hai d3, where guests will see catwalk shows and presentations from regional designers, talks and panel discussions spearheaded by industry professionals, accessory and jewellery collections at ‘The Showcase’. Since its launch in April 2013, the fashion platform has delivered seven successful events and has gained wide-spread recognition. In January 2016, FFWD Season 7 earned the official endorsement of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC) and their support of the event continues for another season.