Dubai, UAE – : Mauritius Pavilion, located in the Opportunity District of Expo 2020 Dubai, celebrated Mauritian National Day on 15th March with great style. To mark the event, Mauritius brought its talented fashion designers to the shores of Dubai, hosting a fashion show at the One & Only Royal Mirage in Dubai.
The fashion show was organised by the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius in collaboration with The Ministry of Industrial Development, SMEs, and Cooperatives andthe Mauritius Fashion and Design Institute and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.
The theme of the fashion show was ‘Fashion Innov 1.0: The Roots of the Future’, reflective of the pavilion’s theme. Twenty-two talented final year students form the Fashion Design Institute showcased 74 outfits in total, designed with the support of local Mauritian manufacturers, and inspired by the evolution of clothing in Mauritius.
The apparel collections encapsulated the rich history of Mauritius, as well as contemporary and modern designs, right up to sustainable fashion – the trend of the future. The collections were developed in collaboration with Carlin International Trend Bureau.
Mr. Hemraj Ramnial, Chairman of the Mauritius Economic Development Board, said: “This is the first time we have hosted a fashion show in the Middle East. We are delighted to put a spotlight on our incredible talent in an international marketplace like Dubai. Through this event we aim to position Mauritius as a leading manufacturer of branded clothing, and to also forge relationships with design schools and institutes in the UAE.”
Hon. Soomilduth Bholah, Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs, and Cooperatives, added: “Mauritius is a reliable and trusted manufacturer of garments across all elements of the fashion ecosystem, from fabrics to sustainable creations. The country has the necessary expertise in training design professionals and producing clothing that can be placed in the international market.
“It is an honour to participate in an event that celebrates not only Mauritian design, but also our artisanal garment manufacturers and textile industries. Our talented team have merged conceptual designs with manufacturing processes to create innovate, eco-friendly products for a better tomorrow.”
The fashion show was attended by dignitaries from Mauritius and the UAE, representatives of renowned design schools in the UAE, fashion designers, industry experts, media, social media influencers, UAE entrepreneurs and buyers from across the GCC region.