Biggest fashion show for UAE designers
Dubai’s Wafi Mall hosted the emirate’s biggest-ever private fashion show on Wednesday with 150 models strutting the creative designs of French Fashion University Esmod – Dubai’s local and international students to an audience of more than 1,000 people, a statement from the organisers said. The fashion show served as the highlight of the graduation ceremony of the University's ‘Made in UAE’ designers.
The event featured the collections of students receiving the Esmod French Diploma equivalent to a University BA Degree accredited in France by CNCP and Esmod International Fashion University Group. The young designers are Esmod Dubai second ‘Made in UAE’ batch of graduates.
A panel of prominent fashion figures judged the mix of international collections and oriental-style fashion in a major logistical undertaking that involved 150 models, 108 dresses, 26 make-up artists, 10 hairdressers and a 25-metre runway. They assessed how effectively three years of studies and creative development were translated to the stage.
The best graduating designers were honoured during the awards ceremony. In the Ready To Wear category, Monia Manel Kahoul (Canada) won the Pattern Making Award and Aanchal Jaggi (India) won the Fashion Design Award. In the Haute Couture – New Couture category, Olga Nurek (Russia) won the Pattern Making Award while Rima Zanoun (Canada) won the Fashion Design Award. In the Stage and Movie Costume category, Elmira Borubaeva (Kyrgyzstan) won the Pattern Making Award and the Fashion Design Award. Olga Nurek also bagged the Jury Award.
Other graduating students were Madeyya Saif Almazroei (UAE), Karam Mouelhi (Tunisia), Marina Qureshi (UK), Adele El Helou (Lebanon), Romy-Lee Ferreira (South Africa), Angkana Pinichkusolchit (Thailand) Anaam Baig (India), Despoina Tounta (Greece), Firras Alwahabi (Australia).
Dr Ayoub Kasim, Managing Director, Education Cluster TECOM Investments, said, “I would like to congratulate the graduating batch of our academic partners, French Fashion University Esmod - Dubai. We are confident that the students will go on to carve a name for themselves as they embark on their respective careers in this industry, which offers plenty of opportunities for people with the right talent and skills. Dubai International Academic City caters to a wide spectrum of educational needs, including fashion education, which is part of our efforts to help address diverse industry needs and give young people the necessary skills and platform to shape their future. We are supported in this mission by institutions such as Esmod that play a key role in grooming a well-informed talent pool for the region’s fashion industry.”
Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder, French Fashion University Esmod Dubai, said: “Our ‘Made in UAE’ extravaganza just gets bigger and better each year, reflecting the region’s growing fashion movement and Esmod’s key role in nurturing young talents and future practitioners. The quality of judges and the commitment of our sponsors also indicate that the show has become an important fixture in the local and regional fashion scene. We are very proud of how our students continue to impress us with their creativity, skill and passion through this event.”
French Fashion University Esmod Dubai is an affiliate of the oldest and most prominent institution associated with international fashion education. Its students come from 55 different countries, with over 40 per cent comprising UAE and GCC nationals.