Mumbai, February 20, 2025: In a
move that recognises the growing influence of Indian talent on the
international fashion scene, The Afra World – a global tastemaker for all
things related to luxury fashion and lifestyle – has launched The Afra World
Fashion Confluence 2025. Through this initiative, The Afra World will offer 15
upcoming Indian fashion designers’ vital exposure to new markets and a dazzling
platform.
The
Afra World Fashion Confluence 2025 has been designed as a launchpad for
emerging talent and is also a means for The Afra World to highlight age-old
Indian crafts to audiences across the world. Founder Niti Gupta, who is
recognised as a design alchemist and master curator, believes that such
endeavours not only shine a light on forgotten heirloom crafts but also bring to
the fore the tremendous strides that contemporary fashion designers are making
by reimagining these through their own design language. The 10-day initiative
will begin with an open call urging designers to present their portfolio of
work and highlight their USP. Shortlisted designers will then be asked to
create and photograph one masterpiece from their oeuvre and share these images,
along with a brief description describing the process of creation. The winning
designs then will be showcased at The AFRA Runway and The AFRA Exhibit, at The
AFRA World Fashion Confluence 2025.
Speaking
about the selection process, Gupta shared: “We are especially keen to see how
these designers are reviving Indian heritage fabrics, crafts, designs or
embroideries, and adding their own contemporary twist. The confluence craft
with the contemporary is what excites me. I am eager to explore emerging ideas.
The criteria for selection will be the choice of the Indian art picked and how
creatively it has been recreated into something new.”
The
panel of judges will comprise past Afra Ambassadors and distinguished members
of the fashion fraternity in Dubai. The underlying vision, say the organisers,
is to forge new pathways between India and the Middle East, both of whom have a
large market size both in terms of the number of buyers and their purchasing
power. The Afra World has always been a sought-after platform for designers,
established and upcoming, in terms of the quality of its curation, branding and
promotions. The designers who come on board Afra are lavished with a luxurious
boutique-style set up at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, B2B engagements with
stores across the Middle East, promotions through PR, online marketing,
collaborations, an ambassadorship programme, as well as associations with high
quality influencers and local networking groups. The Afra World Fashion
Confluence thus holds much promise of being one of the most anticipated events
in India’s annual fashion calendar.
About The AFRA World
Founded
in April 2022 by Niti Gupta, AFRA meticulously curates a global network of
fashion innovators. AFRA spearheads Dubai’s fashion scene, by its magnetic
curation, season after season. It fosters a unique blend of established luxury
brands and rising design talents from all over the world. AFRA creates a
vibrant haven for discerning clientele that ignites trends, inspiring consumers
to embrace couture in everyday wear.
More
than just a fashion showcase, The AFRA World has evolved into a cornerstone of
the region's burgeoning fashion industry, attracting a discerning global
audience.
With
its focus on both established and emerging talent, The AFRA World is not only
shaping the future of fashion in the region but also contributing significantly
to Dubai's cultural and economic landscape. As the city continues to solidify
its position as a global fashion hub, The AFRA World is poised to play an
increasingly vital role in its continued success.
For
more details, log into: https://theafraworld.com/