Hot seat: Rohit Sabikhi

Dubai Fashion Week is upon us. Eduard Mesares spoke to the organiser, Rohit Sabikhi, to finds out what we should be wearing. Discuss this article

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What sets Dubai Fashion Week apart from other international shows – how is it different? How is it tailored to Dubai?
Firstly, Dubai is a fascinating city with a lot of energy and passion and this can be seen in Dubai Fashion Week. It is also a truly multicultural city and the many cultures and customs come together to create a style that is unique to Dubai.

Dubai Fashion Week offers great opportunities to local designers. Why do you think it is so important to nurture homegrown talent?
All Fashion Weeks have new designers from their respective regions showcasing collections that mirror their unique and individual styles. We have many Arab and South Asian designers, who create a creative mix of designs that reflect the signature style of this region.

Where do you envisage the show going in future?
Our aim is to be on par with other international Fashion Weeks. We have seen Dubai Fashion Week grow. As it continues to do so I feel it will play a larger and more important role in the development of the region’s fashion industry. Each season we witness an increased enthusiasm with greater response from designers, buyers, media and, of course, Dubai’s fashion-loving public.

Any big celebrities visiting?
I can’t give any names at the moment, but we can expect a very style-driven audience to attend, including Dubai’s fashion elite. Dubai Fashion Week is certainly somewhere to expect an exciting audience.

Have you always been interested in fashion?
It’s quite a change from mechanical engineering, your previous career. Yes, it is quite a change. But like everyone, you reach a point when you find out what you really want to do. I did my undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering, which I enjoyed, but it was never my real passion. I then decided that the fashion industry was my true calling and went on to do a Masters in fashion management and marketing. However, there is much more to my job than just fashion, such as marketing, sales contracts and sponsorships.

What does Dubai have to do to catch up with London, Paris and New York in fashion terms?
Dubai Fashion Week is very young and it is difficult to compare us to the established Fashion Weeks, which have been running for much longer. However, what is most important is that Dubai Fashion Week is a representation of the region and that we are able to raise the status of our local designers and put Dubai on the global fashion map. We will continue to build on our experiences and look at growing internationally through invitations to international media, buyers and fashion gurus to the Dubai Fashion Week.

And, finally, what will you be wearing this season?
I prefer the classic style – jeans, shirt, tie and Ray Bans. But you would never find me looking scruffy. I always try to look both comfortable and presentable.

Dubai Fashion Week, October 5-9, see www.dfw.ae for details.