For the first time, the Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC) is the official support of the regional International Woolmark Prize for India & Middle East. The prize will be revealed at a ceremony to be held on the 22nd of July 2015 in Dubai. For our magazine’s Middle East Week, we are going to introduce the nominees from UAE, Pakistan and Lebanon.
WOMENSWEAR:
Taller Marmo, UAE
Founded by Riccardo Audisio and Yago Goicoechea in Milan in 2013, Taller Marmo is a Dubai-based women’s wear brand. The Italian tailoring with a minimal approach merges with Arabic traditions. The brand’s collections are inspired by the conversation between the nostalgia of the past and the contemporary culture.
Sania Maskatiya, Pakistan
Currently served as a member of the Fashion Pakistan Council board, Sania launched her eponymous label fashion house in 2010. The brand retails across haute couture, pret a porter, luxury pret and formal wear for women. Sania’s collections have been worn by a number of influential personalities from Pakistan.
Bleach, UAE
Bleach is an Emirati lifestyle label founded in 2012. Designer Budreya Faisal anonymously launched her label after the years of self-learning with only one tailor. Her designs are known for the minimalist and innovative style.
Misha Lakhani, Pakistan
Driven by a celebration of craftsmanship and heritage, Misha Lakhani launched her first retail store in Karachi in 2012, the brand is always looking for an eclectic mix of traditional crafts and modern ideas. Not only has studied fashion design at Central Saint Martins, Misha also earned an MS in Journalism from Columbia University.
Bashar Assaf, Lebanon
A Beirut-based Lebanese fashion designer, Bashar Assaf masters the art of accentuate the female body with sophisticated yet elegant silhouettes and solid colors. He was nominated by Elle Style Awards for “Best Upcoming Fashion Designer in the Middle East” in 2012.
Mira Hayek, Lebanon
Inspired by graphic design, electronic music, animation and the 80’s, Mira Hayek started to design her first ready-to-wear collection under her own label in 2011. Her collections consist of chic modern wear pieces with playful colors, daring graphic cuts and bold geometric patterns.
MENSWEAR:
Republic, Pakistan
Founded in 2007 and launched in 2009 by Omar Farooq, who has a degree in management from Adelphi University from New York, the brand offers the very best fabrics from the world to Pakistani men, controls the prices and still sells. From customized clothing to ready-to-wear, Republic establishes a balance between fascinating contemporary cuts and old-school style clothing.
Thamanyah, UAE
Designer Ahmed Abdelrahman has been working in the luxury fashion industry for over 9 years before he founded East-meets-West menswear label Thamanyah. The label infuses four main Arab pillars into its sharp tailoring and timeless silhouettes: faith, patriotism, tradition and petronaissance.
So for all of you fashion forward couples, guests planning to make a fashion statement this wedding season, your choices have just been upgraded.
