Meet the Emirati designers behind Expo 2020 Dubai's closing ceremony costumes

Two costumes designed by an Emirati husband-and-wife duo will take centre stage at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Organisers have promised a "spectacular" event to celebrate the end of the six-month-long world's fair, with a one-hour ceremony featuring global music stars, dazzling fireworks and performances at Al Wasl Plaza. Follow the final day of Expo 2020 Dubai live here Designers Rashed and Hessa Bin Tamim were entrusted with creating the costumes for the main characters of the night: the Hero Girl and Al Wasl. Young Dubai model Mira Singh , who became a celebrity overnight after her performance at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony , will return to the same stage as the Hero Girl, while the character who will embody Al Wasl will be introduced on the night. "Mira's character will represent an Emirati girl so we decided to dress her in an authentic miyaza’a, a thobe with specific linings," Rashed tells The National . "Coincidentally, we and the Expo team had the same colour in mind. "The main character Al Wasl is Al Wasl Plaza. As described by Expo, it has the soul of an Emirati woman who is authentic yet universal. Al Wasl is a space that reflects the characteristics of an Emirati home, welcoming everyone with an open heart. The Expo team wanted her to represent Al Wasl through having the pattern of the ring on her dress, but we still had to add the Emirati touch to it." The ancient golden ring found in the desert by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid , Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, will be part of the story that will also capture standout moments from the world's fair, organisers have said. Rashed and Hessa founded their label, TBR Haute Couture — pronounced "tibr", Arabic for "pure gold" — in Dubai in 2012, and specialise in haute couture gowns and traditional Emirati dresses. Mira's dress, with heavy embroidery, took two months to complete, while the dress to be worn by the character embodying Al Wasl, took two weeks. Rashed and Hessa worked with a team of 15 to finish the outfits on schedule. "It was a bit challenging because of the tight schedule," says Rashed. "The intricate pieces have been fabricated by a creative team of craftsmen using carefully selected beads and crystals. Both dresses are made using the finest pure silk and luxurious highly engineered tulle to match the fantastical world of Dubai Expo 2020." The designer couple said they will be at the closing ceremony to watch the show, and their creations, come to life. "We are honoured to be associated with Expo 2020," says Rashed. Organisers on Monday said festivities for the closing ceremony are set to begin at 7pm "with the young girl from the opening ceremony in September taking the audience on another compelling journey". "For 182 days, she has grown, learned and connected with people from around the world — what remains is the final step before she awakens to her full potential," Expo event organisers said. The one-hour ceremony will have an Emirati soul that would touch on a global experience. Global music stars including US artists Christina Aguilera and Norah Jones , as well as American cellist Yo-Yo Ma, will lead the line-up of performers at the closing event, before the world's fair baton is passed from Dubai to Expo 2025 Osaka .

Meet the Emirati designers behind Expo 2020 Dubai's closing ceremony costumes

Rashed and Hessa Bin Tamim are the couple who created UAE label TBR Haute Couture

The last day of Expo 2020 Dubai — in pictures: