Life & Style | Beauty & Fashion

Dubai girl Buffi Jashanmal in Project Runway

The fashion designer is one of 16 contestants competing on Season 10 of the hit American reality show

By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Senior Reporter
Published: 21:00 July 30, 2012

Image Credit: Supplied picture
Fashion designer Buffi Jashanmal.

Dubai: Will Dubai find its own Christian Siriano, the famous Project Runway Season 4 winner and one of its biggest success stories, in the form of Buffi Jashanmal?

Not an unlikely prospect, since the quirky UAE-bred designer is one among the 16 designers competing on the season 10 of Emmy-winning fashion reality competition.

To make the cut, the 32-year-old designer hopeful will have to impress Project Runway honcho Heidi Klum, designers Michael Kors and Nina Garcia with her unique designs and her sewing skills.

If that wasn’t enough pressure, guest judges Lauren Graham from the hit Gilmore Girls series and celebrity stylist Patricia Field will return to the judging panel to check whether Jashanmal and her mates have what it takes to be the last designer on the catwalk.

On July 19, Jashanmal, who dubs Lady Gaga as her style icon, survived her first elimination challenge held in New York City’s famed Times Square in front of thousands of fashionistas and fans in attendance.

The chaotic venue, chosen for the season premiere of Project Runway, is also a reflection of the drama surrounding the world of fashion.

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While the industry’s heavily gilded doors automatically open for winners emerging from this fierce fashion contest, the journey is far from easy. So the big question remains, whether our Dubai fashion export would survive the fashion onslaught.

The popular reality fashion show, gives up-and-coming designers an opportunity to launch their careers in fashion, under the tutelage of Liz Claiborne Chief Creative Officer Tim Gunn and its expert judges.

For those who are not in the loop about Jashanmal, the Parsons School of Design graduate launched her label Quiet Riot in Dubai in 2007 and participated in the Dubai Fashion Week autumn-winter 2008 to acquaint the UAE with her flamboyant designs. Three years later, she relocated to New York to pursue her fashion dreams.

If she emerges the winner, she will walk away with a $100,000 (Dh367,313) prize money from L’Oreal Paris to start her own line, a swanky convertible and an opportunity to design and sell an exclusive collection at Lord & Taylor.

“I could win because I am doing something different and fun and people notice my designs and style. As a designer I have always grabbed attention with my fun and quirky designs and prints and use of colour,” said Jashanmal on the show’s website. “Nowadays people are taking a few more risks with how they dress. My overall collection might not be for everybody, but there is a piece in there for everyone.”

Watch out for our full interview with in tabloid! soon.