Finalists for the 2016 Fashion Prize are announced

Montage of the ten finalists nominated for the Vogue Prize. Courtesy DDFC

Dubai Design & Fashion Council has teamed up with Vogue Arabia for the second annual Fashion Prize, aimed at supporting emerging regional designers.

The competition, the first of its kind in the region, saw over 100 different designers from 12 Arab countries enter. The list was then narrowed down by a selection committee and, in partnership with Farfetch.com, the online retail site, 10 finalists were recently named, across the categories of ready-to-wear and accessories.

The five finalists in the ready-to-wear section have been announced as Daneh, Karoline Lang, Mira Hayek, Mochi and Reemami, while in the accessories category, Hooked | HKD, Nathalie Trad, Okhtein, Ralph Masr, and Rula Galayini have all made the last stage.

The winner will be awarded over $250,000 (approximately Dh735,000) worth of production grants, mentorship, press coverage, and advertising, as well as an opportunity to be stocked at some of Farfetch.com’s retail partners, including Browns in London, and Al Ostoura in Kuwait.

Stephanie Horton, chief marketing officer at Farfetch, concluded: “Following the success of last year’s winning capsule collection by Hussein Bazaza, we are excited to work with this year’s shortlist of the very best Middle Eastern design talent. Our customers love discovering and shopping [for] truly unique items and we are looking forward to introducing them to these latest, one-of-a-kind collections.”

www.fashionprize.com