Rabia Z, Sulafa Filfilan, Mohammad Khadra, Janis D'Souza and Sonia Sajnani have been declared the winners of the Emerging Talent Hunt conducted by Dubai International Fashion Week (DIFW) in association with Splash.
The five young designers based in the Middle East will get the opportunity to showcase their collections on the ramp alongside well-known international names at the spring/ summer 2008 edition of DIFW to be held at the One and Only Royal Mirage Hotel, Dubai from October 22 to 25.
Unique
The Emerging Talent Hunt is a unique initiative introduced by DIFW in its inaugural fall/winter 2007 edition. This year the contest attracted over 40 participants from the entire GCC region.
Nine finalists were invited to make individual presentations of one completed garment along with five sketches to a panel of judges comprising well-known personalities in the world of fashion. The judges closely studied the conceptualisation, mood boards, story boards, swatches, workmanship and finished garments to select Rabia, Sulafa and Khadra. Janis and Soni were selected by an online public opinion poll conducted through the official DIFW website. The winners are of different nationalities and each impressed the judges with their individual style and ideas.
Modest dress
Rabia is an Emirati and has studied fashion design and business management in the US. She presented a bright orange long top teamed with jeans and a printed floral head scarf. "I design clothes for the modern Muslim woman who wants to be stylish and trendy but dress modestly," said Rabia. "This is my first collection and I am very excited about having my debut show at DIFW. I think it is time to launch this concept of trendy but covered clothing," she added.
Sulafa is from Saudi Arabia and learnt about the talent hunt on the internet. The designer, who specialises in haute couture bridal wear, created a special collection for the contest. She presented a chic pink dress worn with a lace jacket accessorised with a broad belt with a bow.
Rainbow
"I love colour and my collection has every shade of the rainbow. I want to cater to every taste and have designed the garments such that they can be dressed up or down to change the look from casual sporty to formal evening wear," she said. "Dubai is the hub of fashion in the region and I am thrilled to get this opportunity to be part of DIFW," she added.
Dubai based Indian designers, Janis and Sonia have recently launched their label Pink Pepper and are thrilled to have won public approval for their casual, funky collection called Free Spirit designed specially for DIFW.
Great chance
"Being part of DIFW will give us a chance to interact with well-known designers, stylists and design teachers and learn from them," said Janis. Lebanese designer Khadra could not be in Dubai for the presentation, but the judges were impressed with his creativity and ideas.
"The Emerging Talent Hunt is an integral part of DIFW because we believe it is very important to nurture new talent and provide a platform for young creative minds to display their work at an international forum like this," said Marc Robinson, co-founder of DIFW.
He was joined on the panel of judges by Ingie Chalhoub, CEO & MD of Etoile Group, designer Walid Atallah, Tamara Hostal from Esmod University, Aliya Tair, design and buying assistant, Splash and international celebrity stylist Kithe Brewster.
Celebrities
The winners will work closely with DIFW's creative consulting director Kithe Brewster. The New York based stylist has worked with many international celebrities such as Julianne Moore, Heidi Klum and Johnny Depp. Brewster flew down straight from New York Fashion Week for the selections and was impressed with all the nine finalists.
"These young designers need proper training but I am amazed with the creativity and the passion I have seen today. I am looking forward to working with them and helping them in styling their shows; and I am excited to be part of DIFW and happy to contribute my experience and knowledge in developing fashion in this region," he said.
What is DIFW?
DIFW is a trade event aimed at bringing together regional and international designers, fashion houses, buyers, media and fashion lovers.
The event has been conceived and produced by Concept Events.
