Abaya designs to be modelled and judged at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, the must-attend bridal and fashion event for women in the capital, will give each finalist the opportunity to showcase their designs, presented on the catwalk by professional models. The competition is the climactic finale of the event, which takes place from 21-24 January 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

This year's crop of talent hails from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and the Iranian city of Tehran, a diversity that reflects the overwhelming response from prospective participants, who flooded organizers with entries from the UAE and abroad. Those now competing for the top honour are turning their ideas into reality, with the help of beautiful crystals from Crystallized Swarovski Elements.

The inaugural winner in February 2008 was Abu Dhabi resident, Eiman Al Marzouqi. Upon the announcement that she had won, Eiman said, "I feel like I'm living in a dream and it's so hard to describe how honoured I am."

Launched in 2007, The Crystallized Abaya Design Awards, sponsored by Crystallized Swarovski Elements and supported by the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, allows aspiring fashion designers to push their creative boundaries in creating beautiful abayas which embrace traditional Arabic style while incorporating innovative modern embellishments from Crystallized Swarovski Elements.

This year's contestants will face a panel of judges formed by eminent personalities in the UAE fashion industry. The winner of the Crystallized Abaya Design Awards will be announced in front of hundreds of cheering people and flashing cameras.

"The Crystallized Abaya Design Awards is an amazing opportunity for aspiring local designers to proudly display and honour their national identity and local dress, while embracing their creative instincts and talents," said Daphne Cota, Exhibition Manager, The Bride Show.

"The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is a great platform for UAE-born talent to be recognised in the fashion world and help to jumpstart a career, but most importantly creates a space for attending members of the local community to celebrate and support traditional dress and the gifted individuals contributing to the preservation of national culture."

Now in its seventh year, The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is the largest wedding and fashion event in the capital, a one-stop shop for style enthusiasts and brides to be. This year, fashion-conscious visitors will be treated to exquisite designs from Elie Saab, Ungaro and Valentino, flown in by German retailer Cecile, as well as 14 fashion shows, over four days, from some of the region's most renowned wedding and fashion designers.

The 2008 event brought more than 200 exhibitors to the capital, and this year's exhibition will feature everything from wedding gowns, international haute couture fashion, and hair and beauty services to wedding organisers, florists and honeymoon destinations attracting brides-to-be as well as women interested in fashion and glamour.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi will be the first must-attend event for brides-to-be in 2009 and will be followed by The Bride Show Dubai from 8 to 11 April 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.