The Arab Fashion Council (AFC) has launched a novel initiative to foster emerging fashion brands from the Arab nations. Titled,  AFC Fashion Fund, this initiative will inject $500,000 into the business of a single selected designer every two years, offering sustained support aimed at scaling and expanding their brand on a global level.

Differing from conventional awards or one-time financial grants, the AFC Fashion Fund operates as a four-season accelerator program. Its goal is to transform a Ready-to-Wear (RTW) designer into a globally recognized name within the fashion industry. The chosen designer will benefit from comprehensive support across three runway seasons, gain showroom representation in Paris, and have dedicated capsule collections developed specifically for the Middle Eastern retail calendar.

The fund provides an all-encompassing brand-building experience. This includes full runway production support – covering casting, styling, public relations, content creation, and social media amplification – as well as introductions to key buyers and access to showrooms aligning with the Resort and Pre-Fall schedules.

To boost the presence of regional market, the program incorporates support for capsule collections timed around significant cultural events such as Ramadan and Eid. Additionally, the selected designer will gain access to major retail networks within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and receive tailored e-commerce strategies designed to enhance direct-to-consumer sales.

With a selection process that identifies only one designer every two years, the AFC Fashion Fund ensures a focused and in-depth level of support. This includes valuable industry mentorship, strategic market access, and significant global exposure to propel the designer's brand forward.