Dubai Fashion Week: Runway dream a reality

Dubai: It's a rite of passage that designers worldwide yearn for. The opportunity to launch their collection at an international Fashion Week. For six young women in the UAE, that dream is on the threshold of being realised.

From amongst the 50 applicants who submitted their collections to win a spot in the bi-annual Dubai Fashion Week, Anna Gurgacz, Azadeh Zandi, Kay Li, Sara Al Refai, Sarah Mrad and Sophie Wanney won top honours.

Between April 19 to 23, each designer will make the transition from struggling artist to renowned fashionista when their collection will be showcased at Dubai Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011. The event will be held in Zabeel Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Kay Li

Chinese

Fashion icon: Iris Van Herpen

Name of Collection: Fight to Survive

Li's collection was inspired by the movie The Chronicles of Riddick. Accordingly, the collection is largely fitted jackets with strong shoulder cuts in shades of bronze-copper, black and white and grey. The 10 looks Li will showcase will create a mood of power and survival. "Since the movie is about how to survive through oppression, the theme of my collection is to rebel," says the 32-year-old designer, whose jacket details have been inspired by the beast in the movie.

Azadeh Zandi

Syrian

Fashion Icon: Coco Chanel

Name of collection: Voguish

With an inspiration that stretches from the beauty of a lily to the eclectic look of the Neil Barret shop in Tokyo, Zandi's Voguish collection of six looks will be a very futuristic-feminine mix of dresses, tops and skirts.

Sophey Wanney

German

Fashion Icon: Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs

Name of collection: Fiokafini

The Fiokafini collection will feature very clear, geometrical shapes, almost minimalist in nature. "This collection is about being feminine, yet powerful," says Wanney, a fashion design teacher. "The dresses, skirts and jackets are all in shades of black, silver and grey and although feminine in nature have clean powerful cuts."

Anna Gurgacz

Polish

Fashion Icon: Coco Chanel

Name of collection: You So Special

Her creation is inspired by the colour and shape of the fuchsia flower. "I'm working with pinks, fuchsias and purples, along with white highlights," says the fashion design student. Her designs feature futuristic, sharp edges, with panelled dresses and skirts. "I enjoy working with silks, raw silks, satin, chiffons and organza to provide the stiff panels saturated with layers of silky lightness, reminiscent of the flower."

Sarah Mrad

Lebanese

Fashion Icon: Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani

Name of collection: Bodyline

Inspired by the curves of the female form, the Bodyline collection features ready-to-wear dresses and skirts reminiscent of the 1950s. This translates into high-waisted-skirts with belts, and balloon-shaped dresses peppered with floral prints.

Sara Al Refai

Syrian

Fashion icon: Alexander McQueen

Name of Collection: Gypsy Girl

Refai's collection is largely nomadic, gypsy-style cocktail dresses with a Middle Eastern touch. Expect layers, colours, prints and eclectic accessories.