Lights, camera, action — that's what Rania Shihab, winner of Project Stylist 2011 Dubai, will be looking forward to when she goes to New York for Fashion Week in September. The advertising graduate will be flown to the Big Apple, be part of a styling team for a fashion shoot and attend Fashion Week.
"It is a huge achievement and an amazing recognition for the effort and work that I have completed," the 21-year-old said. Her brother and sister-in-law bought her the Project Stylist ticket as a graduation gift in the hope that her dreams can come true.
Clash of fashion styles: Budding fashion stylists from the UAE compete for an opportunity to launch a lucrative career
Credit: Irish Eden Belleza, Videography and Lauren Fraser, Reporting
"In this instance, her creativity, inspiration and fashion sense combined with her learning from the practical aspects from the Project Stylist course ensured she shined through to take the first award," Image Factor Founder and Style Director Marissa Woods explained. "As Rania has never travelled to the US, we know that she will fall in love with the glitz, glamour and frenzy of New York Fashion Week."
Rania certainly has a lot to get excited about. "New York Fashion Week will open so many doors for me," she said.
Opportunities
Project Stylist launched in June at The Pavilion Downtown Dubai. Over two weeks 13 budding stylists vied for three life-changing prizes.
It is led by Woods, who has decades of experience in the styling industry. She said she saw a niche in the market. "There is an opportunity for more knowledge in the industry of personal, private, corporate and commercial styling.
"I want the candidates to take away insight, depth and excitement around the glitz and glam of the fashion styling industry," she explained, adding that her favourite styled celebrity is blonde US actress Blake Lively. "Her look is honest, authentic and all-American. There's a lot of engagement."
Participant Aman Al Jabir had high expectations of the course and had already learnt a lot by the end of the first session. "Day one and I've already learnt so much about cuts, layers and textures," she said. "I want to learn about the stylist's role and the areas they cover."
Michael Del Mar, Fashion Stylist and Producer for IKON, called the project a "revelation". "It's fresh and promising, There's no breadth to professional styling," he said, adding, "This is the first ever for Dubai."
Del Mar, who has been in Dubai for seven years, is a fan of local Arabic designer Furne One. The 29-year-old came third in the competition, winning a one-on-one style day with Woods. Del Mar, whose favourite styled celebrity is Charlize Theron, is looking forward to working with Woods. "I have recently travelled, so I have tons of inspiration that I want to translate to stills."
‘Long career'
Woods explained that it was "clear from the professionalism and fashion awareness that Michael has a true gift when it comes to originality and understanding key fashion trends". She cited his mix of high street and couture as impressing the judges. "We know that Michael has a long prosperous fashion career ahead of him with his unique gift for being able to make couture a high street-friendly option for every woman."
The runner-up of Project Stylist wins the opportunity to style an editorial shoot with Dubai-based Pashion magazine. Ambreen Ahmad, Executive Assistant and Culture Editor of Hia Magazine Dubai, was awarded second place. "I was overjoyed to be selected among the winners," she said.
"I am hoping to be able to create a magnificent shoot that will translate the values of the magazine and inspire the readers."
Woods loved Ambreen's portfolio, with the juxtaposition of a woman running through the grey streets of New York in a red couture gown holding balloons, with embellished shoes and glittering red lipstick. "The contrast of beauty and simplicity is what all the judges adored, as well as the commercial relevance to how rich the colour is and how that love of colour translates beautifully to the Middle Eastern region."
She said: "Project Stylist accomplished what we set out to do — successfully raise awareness and benchmark good practice of stylists and budding stylists within the region."
