The Arab Fashion Council has launched the AFC Fashion Fund, a new initiative aimed at supporting emerging fashion brands from Arab countries. The fund will invest $500,000 every two years into one designer’s business, providing long-term support to help scale and grow their brand globally.
Unlike traditional awards or one-time cash prizes, the AFC Fashion Fund is a four-season accelerator programme designed to turn a Ready-to-Wear (RTW) designer into a globally recognised name. The selected designer will receive support across three runway seasons, showroom representation in Paris, and dedicated capsule collections tailored for the Middle East retail calendar.
The fund offers a comprehensive brand-building journey: from full runway production—including casting, styling, PR, content, and social media amplification—to introductions with key buyers and showroom access in line with the Resort and Pre-Fall schedules.
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To strengthen regional presence, the programme includes support for capsule collections around key cultural moments like Ramadan and Eid, alongside access to major retail networks in the GCC and bespoke e-commerce strategies to grow direct-to-consumer sales.
With only one designer selected every two years, the AFC Fashion Fund ensures focused, in-depth support through industry mentorship, strategic market access, and global exposure.