The Arab world is getting its own Project Runway show with one of the region’s biggest name in fashion to front it. World-renowned Lebanese couturier Elie Saab will be head judge on the Arabic version of the long-running fashion design reality show which will be called Project Runway ME.
The show is set to premiere late this year on MBC4 and MBC Masr. A specific date has not been announced.
Project Runway premiered in the US in 2004, with supermodel Heidi Klum as host. Designer Michael Kors and fashion journalist Nina Garcia were judges while fashion consultant Tim Gunn was the mentor to the contestants. On each show, contestants are given fashion design project and are judged on their work. One or two participants are then eliminated each week.
Versions of the show are also in the UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Russia.
The Arabic version will have Tunisian-Italian model Afef Jnifen as Saab’s co-judge, with a third celebrity judge announced every week. Saudi designer Faris Al Shehri will mentor the contestants while Dubai-based Lebanese-Australian beauty queen Jessica Kahawaty will be the presenter.
“My role in the programme is an integral part of my constant desire to develop the fashion industry in the Arab world, striving for ultimate excellence and sophistication in Art, craft and workmanship; factors that will allow us to streamline the Arab fashion industry and turn it into a more global one,” Saab said in a statement released by the MBC Group.
“Throughout the season, we will work towards strengthening the talented participants’ skills. Each episode will feature a different theme, challenging the contestants to adopt better concepts and so on. This unique opportunity will help open wide fashion doors to participating talents.”
Filming for the series has already commenced in Beirut, with the grand finale to be filmed in and live telecast from Dubai Design District (d3).
