A hugely successful opening night began with a collection from young Emarati students from the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy, who were given a unique opportunity to showcase their Collection, inspired by Arab culture and traditions, on an international stage.

The evening concluded with the Missoni Collection receiving great acclaim from the an audience of over 1,200 VIPs, international and regional buyers, fashion critics and media from the likes of Vogue and Elle.

The talent of Moe Khadra, Layla Kouris, Maison Rabih Kayrouz line up alongside Albino D'Amato, the young Italian designer whose work is creating a great stir in the fashion capitals of the world.

The young Arab designers are seeking to achieve the same global recognition as their European counterpart and the inaugural Abu Dhabi Fashion Week is a perfect platform.

The event, organised by Maven in collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italia, creators of the Milano Fashion Week, and taking place at Emirates Palace Hotel until Tuesday 18th March, provides a unique and rare opportunity for local talent to make a name for themselves, in what is the latest addition to the series of renowned fashion weeks of Milan, New York, London and Paris.

Alice Teeuwen, Chairman of Maven, says there is enormous creative talent in this region. 'The role of Abu Dhabi Fashion Week is simply to provide a showcase and an infrastructure to help this talent to express itself and develop. In time, we hope to take many more regional designers to the great international shows of Paris, Milan, New York and London, and equally we hope that the international names will be clamouring to display in Abu Dhabi.'

Sponsors for the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week include ALDAR - the Foundation Sponsor - and Mubadala, Etihad, Proctor & Gamble and Emirates Palace. The Abu Dhabi Fashion Week runs until 18 March at a specially constructed venue at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.