When the Arabic version of Fashion Star premieres on February 3 on Dubai One, 12 fashion designers from across the Middle East and North Africa will battle it out for the top prize: a Dh500,000 fashion project to create a capsule collection for retailer namshi.com. Mentored by celebrated international designer Reem Acra along with Hana Bin Abdul Salam and Ramzi Tabiat, the reality show will see one contestant eliminated each week following a fashion challenge.
tabloid! introduces you to the 12 designers:
Muna Al Zarooni (UAE)
Al Zarooni’s passion for fashion began at a young age when she started to design her own dresses and her own take on abayas. She recently decided to do it full time, and she designs everything from day gowns to bridal dresses, having built quite a niche clientele from the Gulf.
Ahmad Saedi (Egypt)
Saedi’s started designing when he was 12. He left a career in engineering and did fashion design full time with the launch of his label Maison Saedi.
Area Al Ammari (Saudi Arabia)
Al Ammari is a mother of two. She is the founder and creative director of the brand ArAm. She’s also and entrepreneur and a lecturer.
Fahad (Kuwait)
Fahad splits his time between being a fitness personal trainer and fashion designer for Fahad Boutique. He’s also a writer and theatre actor.
Farah Hourani (Jordan)
Born in Amman, this 23 year old runs her own label, Fara-Hourani and blogs on wearthetrend.com, which reflects her love for design and showcases the latest trends in fashion, design, art, music and film.
Ebrahim Mimou (Syria/US)
After earning a degree in business, Mimou began his career working with a streetwear company. A keen skateboarder, he was first recognised in the fashion world when he started selling his designs to skate shops.
Joe Challita (Lebanon)
Born and raised in Australia, Challita studied law, but his love for design urged him to return to his initial passion, which he’s now decided to pursue full time.
Razan Al Arayedh (Bahrain)
This 23-year-old’s passion for fashion, design and craft started after graduating from high school. Now armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design, and creating pieces that mix fashion and art, she’s ready for her big break in the industry.
Salah Barka (Tunisia)
Barka, who started his career in fashion as a model, works in cinema and advertising as a costume designer, and has recently created his own pret-a-porter brand Ohsy By Salah Barka. He draws his inspiration from streets and everyday life in Tunisia.
Sofia Al Arabi (Morocco)
Al Arabi designs for her label Bakchic but she’s also a blogger, e-entrepreneur and stylist. Her style is mostly a mix of traditional North African style and Western sensibilities.
Wadih De Jreij (Lebanon)
De Jreij majored in business computing and has worked as a stylist and art director for TV commercials since 2009. He recently changed careers and opened his own atelier.
Yasmeen Borro (Lebanon)
Borro grew up in Brussels, surrounded by African artefacts, which translated into a passion for antiques. Her fondness for traditional and folkloric oriental garments inspired her to study fashion design, and has become her signature style.
Don’t miss it
Arabic Fashion Star premieres on February 3 on Dubai One at 10pm, and will subsequently air on Dubai One and Dubai First every Wednesday at 10pm.
