Competing for a highly sought after spot in the bi-annual Dubai Fashion Week® (DFW) Emerging Talent show, organizers, Capital Marketing, have revealed this seasons winners; Anna Gurgacz, Polish, (E.G.O. gurgaczio), Azadeh Zandi, Syrian, (Voguish), Kay Li, Chinese, (Fight to Survive), Sara Al Refai, Syrian (Gypsy Girl), Sarah Mrad, Lebanese, (Sarah Mrad), and Sophie Wanney, German (Fiokafini).

^[2]Winners were selected from a pool of over 50 applicants, with the top 6 designers making the cut from a competitive shortlist of 22. Each designer will each début 8-10 runway looks at DFW Fall/Winter 2011 (FW11), taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, from 19th until 23rd April 2011. In addition to showcasing their collection, winners will also be furnished with an exhibition installation providing them with a platform to make business-driven associations.

Commenting on the Emerging Talent selection, Manoj Bhojwani, Chairman, Dubai Fashion Week and Chairman, Capital Marketing, said, “This contest is a very important component of DFW® like most of international fashion weeks. Young designers must be presented with an avenue through which they can display their designs to the fashion community and what better platform than DFW.

“As the event proprietors and organisers we are committed to fostering and developing young, talented designers from around the region. We are in a privileged position where we can contribute to the regional fashion industry by identifying and supporting young and emerging designers”.

Contestants were required to present their designs to the DFW Advisory Board of prominent personalities in the fields of apparel retail, fashion design, journalism and the corporate sector. These include Rohini Gehani, Sarah Belhasa, Ayman Al Saleh, Zayan Ghandour, Etedal Al Khatib, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, Bushra Yousuf, Hassa Jamal Al Ghurair and Amel Khalifa Ahmed Hammad. There were also designer’s on the selection panel i.e. Amal Murad and Rabia Z.

“Each year the submissions we receive continually impress the judging panel, making the selection process more competitive. The calibre in submissions is in direct response to the region’s growing fashion community and I am confident that the level of competitiveness will further increase as the regions fashion scene matures,” commented Marc Robinson, Show Director, DFW. “The Emerging Talent competition is a unique opportunity for amateur designers to reach domestic and international media, buyers and industry representatives. I strongly encourage each designer to make the most from this opportunity to establishing themselves as the new faces of the Middle East fashion scene.”

Rohit Sabikhi, event director stated, “This is the only initiative of its kind in the UAE & middle east and follows in the footsteps of other international fashion weeks, all of whom have realized the need to develop initiatives to support young & emerging designers. We look forward to their debut during DFW.”

Initially established in 2006, the Emerging Talent contest was created as a platform to showcase the work of talented young & emerging designers, from the UAE and the rest of the region. The competition provides an unparallel window of opportunity, for young designers seeking entry into the fashion design industry. From students to existing fashion designers looking for exposure in the dynamic fashion industry, the contest is an opportunity for talented young designers to get recognised though industry experts at DFW.

DFW Fall/Winter 2011 (FW11), will release the full list of participating designers and show schedule shortly! For further information follow us on Twitter: DubaiFashionWk or join our Facebook group: Dubai Fashion Week!

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