Dubai’s position as a burgeoning fashion hub in a region of sustained growth and long-term opportunity has solidified its status as a fashion capital. In light of this, Vogue Business Fashion Futures returned to the region for a second time, this time in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3). The event, coinciding with Dubai Fashion Week, brought together over 150 guests, including fashion leaders, entrepreneurs, and sustainability champions, for a series of discussions on “building in uncertainty”.
The focus of the event was on exploring the dynamic between legacy and innovation, and how long-term partnerships are shaping more resilient models of growth in the region and beyond. Held at Thea, a French Mediterranean restaurant in d3, Dubai’s iconic global creative ecosystem, the event provided a platform for insightful conversations and panel discussions.
The event kicked off with a welcome note from Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District, who emphasized Dubai’s growing strength as a creative capital. She also announced the addition of Italian brand Golden Goose to the d3 community, before introducing the brand’s CEO, Silvio Campara, as the keynote speaker for the session.
In a conversation with Vogue Business and Vogue Runway deputy director Elektra Kotsoni, Campara shared the journey of Golden Goose from a family-founded label to a global brand with significant cultural and commercial appeal. Following Campara’s leadership, Golden Goose secured strategic investment from global private equity firm HSG, which acquired a majority stake in the company for over €2.5 billion in December.
Campara, who joined Golden Goose in 2013, highlighted the brand’s philosophy of creating items that age gracefully with the wearer. He quoted the brand’s founder Alessandro Gallo, saying, “Golden Goose should be a platform of items that age with you. They get wrinkles, because those wrinkles make the items special.” This philosophy has resonated with customers, leading to a 60% retention rate for the brand.
The event provided valuable insights into the intersection of tradition and innovation in the fashion industry, showcasing how brands like Golden Goose are navigating the ever-changing landscape of fashion. With Dubai’s creative capital on the rise, events like Vogue Business Fashion Futures play a crucial role in fostering collaboration and driving growth in the region’s fashion ecosystem.
