Dubai has always dazzled the world by attracting the hottest labels from the world over. Malls across the emirate are teeming with the
who’s who of fashion, but now a new crop of homegrown designers are sure to give even the most established brands a run for their money.
in5 Design, an incubator for start-ups and independent thinkers pushing the dialogue on fashion design, is helping launch a number of incredibly talented creatives right here in Dubai. Located in the glamorous Dubai Design District (d3), it offers mentorship opportunities, access to funding, exciting networking events and workshops.
Most recently, in5 introduced the state-of-the-art in5 Fashion Lab. This fully equipped creative facility boasts industry-standard equipment and expert guidance, so creatives can bring to life bespoke collections with little investment and the support of an on-ground design team. This one-stop-shop addresses all kinds of clothing development and manufacturing needs, such as fabric sourcing and manpower needed to create sample lines. Sustainable fashion with a youthful touch to haute couture-inspired gowns, discover seven of the most exciting fashion labels stitching their story at in5 Design.
Gorillarolls
Gorillarolls brings the fight into fashion – quite literally. Best known for designing high quality JiuJitsu and other sports training and combat tapes, the in5-born high-end label has entered the streetwear game with branded t-shirts, joggers and gorilla-stamped socks. Deck out in their unisex apparel for a gym look that shows you mean business.
Doppelgänger
Twin sister-owned brand Doppelgänger embraces its Gen-Z genetics in full. Eccentric colour-popping and playful patterns wrap their cotton t-shirts, upcycled bucket hats and face masks, while chromatic sequins outfits and oversized collars nod to young Hollywood’s modern take on ‘70s glam. Brewing in the in5 Fashion Lab, Doppelgänger is already making noise with its trendy, limited-stock collections, which have featured on the Middle East issues of Grazia and Cosmopolitan.
Manel Fashion
Boasting more than 80,000 followers on Instagram, Manel Fashion is no small name in the regional design cohort with the likes of fashion influencer Anna Khan and TV host Rehab Abdullaa impressing in its collections. This Dubai-born brand is a sure choice for any upscale soirees and glamorous galas with a variety of silky gowns, dramatic silhouettes and draping designs. Even its
quotidian collection embodies the brand’s Greek goddess and modern royalty
vibes, so you can look stylish day in and day out.
A|Loud
Technology, sustainability and fashion intersect at A|Loud. The Fashion Lab-born brand creates eco-friendly and ethical dresses respecting the circular model for a completely green fashion brand based at in5. Comb their website and Instagram for avant-garde fashions designed for city living – from asymmetrical dresses to sleek swimwear and a men’s line coming soon.
Martha Fadel
With her outfits strutted on the catwalks of New York Fashion Week and sported by the late and great Joan Rivers, Martha Fadel is no small-time designer. Her unique silhouettes are for the modern woman who transitions from commanding work attire in the day to date night digs, extravagant galas and weddings. Ultra-chic, ultra-modern and ultra-bold, Fadel’s end game is to make head turns.
Hybella
Hybella taps into the city’s cosmopolitanism with a variety of western, Arab and Asian wear. While gowns and dresses are aplenty, suiting every taste, shape and style, the brand’s sustainable fashion menu sets it apart. Rent dresses for one-off occasions or shop curated pre-loved outfits to keep clothes in the consumer cycle. Among the brand’s feel-good initiatives, you can even gift one of your own lightly used outfits that are still in good condition to underprivileged women and brides in remote villages of India, Pakistan and Africa.
The in5 Fashion Lab is located at in5 Design in Dubai Design District (d3). The incubator provides independent creatives and entrepreneurs a platform to nurture and realise their ambitions within a greater community network. While in5 start-ups can take advantage of exclusive mentorship and advisory, investment opportunities and networking events, a membership programme for individuals offers students,
entrepreneurs, and professionals at all career levels access to the creative co-working spaces and facilities across its three innovation centres in d3, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Production City at highly competitive annual rates.