DUBAI — As the humanitarian crisis worsens in the Middle East, with the death toll reaching more than 2,500, the fashion industry has reacted by pulling back on events during what is usually the busiest season of the year across the region.
One of the most highly anticipated red carpets, Fashion Trust Arabia, sent an email on Thursday to guests saying they will be postponing their awards show scheduled for Oct. 25 in Doha, Qatar. “After careful consideration and due to the situation unfolding in the Middle East, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Fashion Trust Arabia [FTA] Awards ceremony.…At FTA, our purpose has always been to support the talent of designers in the MENA [Middle East and North Africa] region. However, we believe that, given the current situation in the region, it would be inconsiderate to proceed with our event.”
We Design Beirut, a four-day design fair spread across Beirut and scheduled for the end of October, was also postponed. Lebanon is bracing itself for potential attack. Conflicts have widened before into Lebanon as militant group Hezbollah, based in Southern Lebanon, has pledged support to Hamas.
We Design Beirut’s organizers sent a personal message directly to guests. “As heart-wrenching as it is to write this message, we had to make the decision that is responsible, that is humane and that also doesn’t put anyone at risk. We have decided to postpone WDB to March with dates to follow….This is part of our daily lives as Lebanese and still we shall continue.”
Italian fine jewelry brand Pomellato, also in an email to media, said they would be postponing an event due to take place next week in Dubai.
Chopard sent an email to guests informing them their high jewelry presentation scheduled for next week is canceled “due to the deeply saddening situation in the region.”
Vogue Arabia canceled an after party for new real estate project launch in Dubai, but will be hosting a dinner.
Nez Gebreel, a global fashion consultant and adviser based in Dubai, said: “It’s a particularly hard time for many people across the world, but never more so than right now in the region. Human beings are in a state of utter grief and mourning the loss of a staggering number of innocent lives. Being in a celebratory mood is therefore not easy for anyone, not something that comes naturally when you’re witnessing such horror. As individuals, as mothers, as daughters, as friends, it feels disrespectful and insensitive to be frivolously partying at this moment in time.”
A prominent Dubai-based influencer who asked not to be named also cited that those who are attending events are not able to share content from parties at this time, which for the brands, is an important return on investment.
While sympathy has been pouring in for all the innocent lives lost, many in the region feel it’s disproportionately empathetic toward Israel and not innocent lives lost in Gaza. Many Arab influencers were outraged with the statement from the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode condemning only the attack in Israel, with no mention of the more than 1,500 lives lost in the subsequent bombardment of Gaza. FHCM’s Instagram post said: “The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode unequivocally condemns the inhuman terrorist attacks currently taking place in Israel since October 7th. These attacks have caused unspeakable suffering and civilian casualties. It is of utmost importance that we maintain our unwavering commitment to peace and constant fight against terrorism and its horrific consequences. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and every Israeli individual who has suffered from terrorism and ignominy.”
