Creations 2008, the nine-day fashion event organised by DSF in partnership with BurJuman, has so far featured haute couture, evening gowns, shaylas and abayas, sportswear and casual wear by amateur and established designers from Lebanon, India, UAE, Pakistan, Cyprus and the UK. In keeping with its aim of encouraging young talent from the region, on day six Creations invited fashion design students from MAHE Manipal Dubai Campus to showcase their work on the ramp at BurJuman.
Experimented
The first and second year students were excited about the opportunity to display their creations on professional models at a prestigious venue in a professionally choreographed show. The budding designers experimented with various cuts and silhouettes and took inspiration from Indonesian batik and embroidery, Sudanese drapes and the colourful costumes of Indian gypsies to create a fresh, fun and funky collection.
"We have been participating in Creations for the past two years because it is a great learning experience for our students. They gain valuable practical knowledge, experience and awareness of the fashion scenario in the UAE and the region, which enhances their talent and prepares them for responsible positions in various departments of leading fashion houses,'' said Javeria Pasha, chairperson, department of Fashion Design, MAHE Manipal — Dubai Campus. The second show of the day by New York-based German designer Heike Jarick was glamorous and sophisticated. A graduate of St Martins School of Design, London, Heike worked with Krizia and Trussardi in Milan and Anne Klein in New York before launching her label Heike Jarick in 2000.
She became famous after Halle Berry was photographed wearing a laser-cut bikini designed by her and has many celebrity clients such as Lucy Liu, Mena Suvari, Mandy Moore and Kate Hudson.
Modern Renaissance
Heike's spring-summer '08 collection had a modern Renaissance look with a romantic feel and sculptural shapes. The daywear line comprised dresses in interesting camouflage prints on silk, 3D floral prints on ecru and her special "angel wings'' print on jersey. The palette included black and white, gold, soft greens and blues and spicy red.
"I have heard a lot about Dubai and was happy to be invited to participate in Creations 2008. This is a great opportunity to show my work here and to meet buyers personally. Dubai is a futuristic city, and I am surprised by the modern and Westernised lifestyle here.
"This show is a good start and I hope it will be a stepping stone for me to enter this dynamic market,'' said Heike.
The Ins and Outs
Creations 2008 features collections by 18 designers of different nationalities. Two fashion shows are being held daily at BurJuman at 7pm and 8pm until tomorrow.
The shows, produced by Emirates Vision, have been choreographed by well-known Indian designer and choreographer Rohit Verma and Dubai-based Azzy.
The models include the current Miss India Pooja Gupta, Miss Albania 2008, Igla Haraxhi, Top Model of the World 2005, Mirjana.
The music is by DJ Sash and the models' hair and make-up has been done by Wella and Max Factor respectively.
