Reinforcing its growing status as a global diamond hub, Dubai yesterday hosted the “Diamond Fashion Show” at Armani Pavilion under the bright lights of Burj Khalifa. Held as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 20th anniversary in partnership with Dhamani, the most expensive fashion show in the world featured a display of diamond jewellery worth over USD 100 million.

From more than 10 pieces of diamonds weighing 50 carat or above to four stunning pieces of rare 100-carat diamonds, the “Diamond Fashion Show” assembled the most awe-inspiring collection of prized jewels ever exhibited on a catwalk. Including an outstanding collection of rare natural fancy coloured diamonds delighting audiences for the finale of the glistening catwalk show, the event reflected the unique quality of Dubai’s luxury market, home to some of the world’s most precious and rare treasures.

The diamond jewellery for the exclusive, invitation-only event was provided by Dhamani – one of the UAE’s most remarkable homegrown success stories in the jewellery business and the sole distributor of the 99-faceted Dubai Cut diamond.

The “Diamond Fashion Show” comes against the backdrop of Dubai – already acknowledged as the world’s leading physical gold market – rapidly emerging as the diamond trading centre of choice. Dubai’s annual diamond trade volume now stands at over USD 40 billion, with about half of the world’s production of rough diamonds passing through the Dubai Diamond Exchange.

“While Dubai has always been renowned as a gold trading centre, the story of the last decade really is the city’s amazing transformation into a global diamond hub,” said H. E. Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and the organisers of Dubai Shopping Festival. “Dubai offers a favourable environment for diamond traders, with its business-friendly policies, simplified procedures and its reputation as a tax haven combining to offer a value proportion unmatched elsewhere in the world. Most importantly, Dubai is situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and connects all major global diamond centres.”

Amit Dhamani, CEO and Managing Director, Dhamani Jewels, said, “Dubai is fast evolving into the world’s pre-eminent diamond trading centre, and this ‘Diamond Fashion Show’ is a nod to the city’s astonishing recent success as a major global diamond capital. The event underscores the uniqueness and growing eclecticism of Dubai’s luxury market, showcasing rare gemstones and diamonds one would typically find only in the loftiest of global museums. In fact, it would be news to many that the city is today one of the world’s most extensive and stunning repositories of precious stones and jewels.”