Dubai-based Tunisian model Ameni Esseibi has been named ambassador of the Arab Fashion Council, on an announcement which coincided with launch of Arab Fashion Week. The event, which is taking place in Dubai, includes 28 shows divided into three main programs, with couture being on display on Thursday and Friday, ready-to-wear taking centerstage from March 26 to 28, and a variety of events that run throughout the five-day gathering.
The 24-year old Esseibi is the first ever plus-sized model to the chosen by the AFC and is considered the first curvy model from the Middle East.
This is a momentous day as Esseibi's personal mission has been all about inclusivity and tolerance. The fashion industry, slowly but surely is changing, and acknowledging that most women aren't a size zero, actually probably closer to a size 10 is a great start.
On an Instagram post announcing her appointment Esseibi wrote, "This a huge step towards diversity. It’s the first time that a fashion council puts a curvy model as their ambassador." Then adding, "My role will be to make sure that every Fashion week happening in the Middle East includes diversity. Yes , the fashion world is finally listening to us."
Mohammed Aqra, the Arab Fashion Council’s chief strategy officer, also hinted at this important change in attitude when he admitted, “It strategically encourages designers to take a step closer to include diverse profiles of the consumers, offering a wider choice for them at offline and online retail.
“We are heading in the right direction to make the industry more sustainable in all forms and more accessible by people of all sizes, races, and genders.”
