As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering the growth of women-led businesses, the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council (ADBWC), in collaboration with NAJ Academy, delivered the “Fashion Leadership Program”, a specialised initiative designed to equip aspiring and established fashion entrepreneurs with the skills required to build and grow successful fashion brands.
The programme, which took place in August, offered aspiring and established fashion entrepreneurs a comprehensive introduction to the key disciplines involved in building and managing a fashion business. Over five training days, participants explored topics including market research and consumer behavior, brand identity development, collection design and development, financial planning, and pricing strategies, alongside practical learning opportunities designed to support real-world applications.
The launch of the programme reflected the growing interest in entrepreneurship within the fashion sector, as more women seek to transform creative ideas into viable businesses. By combining industry-specific expertise with practical business training, the initiative addressed the unique opportunities and challenges faced by fashion entrepreneurs at different stages of their business journey.
Her Excellency Asma Al Fahim, Chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, said: “Many fashion entrepreneurs enter the industry with exceptional creative talent, yet find themselves navigating challenges that extend far beyond design. Building a successful brand requires a deep understanding of market positioning, pricing, operations, and long-term business strategy. Through the Fashion Leadership Program, we are creating a platform that enables participants to strengthen their foundations, scale with confidence, and contribute to the UAE’s creative economy.”
Narveen Al Jabban, CEO & Founder of NAJ Academy, said: “We are proud to partner with the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council to deliver the Fashion Leadership Program, designed to address the evolving demands of the fashion sector. Entrepreneurs enrolled in the programme will gain scaled technical knowledge – ultimately creating an educational space to challenge industry assumptions, refine creative concepts, and gain real-world perspectives from fashion brand experts. This is a platform that supports aspiring fashion entrepreneurs to unlock new opportunities, strengthen and grow their businesses.”
The programme attracted strong interest from the local entrepreneurial community, with registrations exceeding 70 applicants. A total of 21 participants successfully enrolled in and completed the programme, reflecting growing demand for specialised initiatives that support women pursuing opportunities within the fashion sector.
The programme concluded with a field-learning experience, during which participants visited supplier shops and gained first-hand exposure to fabrics, materials, and sourcing considerations within a real-world business environment.
Building on the success of the Fashion Leadership Program, the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council will continue to develop targeted initiatives that equip women entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to launch, grow, and scale sustainable businesses.
Through programmes that combine practical skills development with industry expertise, the Council remains committed to fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem and strengthening the contribution of women-led enterprises to the UAE’s creative and economic landscape.
