Gulf fashion students vie for 'Swarovski Young Designers Award'

The award will form the grand finale of The Bride Show Dubai 2005, the Middle East's largest and most distinguished exhibition for wedding day organisers and brides-to-be.

This year's award, themed 'The Lavish Twenties in Europe,' will see 23 students from top UAE and Qatar-based fashion and design schools compete for the coveted title.

"The Swarovski Young Designers Award is the perfect finale to this spectacular four-day event," said Charlotte Proudman, Event Manager, The Bride Show Dubai 2005.

"Over the years, this prestigious award has given exposure to up-coming fashion students and has helped launch careers of aspiring new designers. It attracts huge support from the region's design industry and students will present their final fashion creations on a professional catwalk among an audience of thousands."

Participating schools include Preston University, The Design Academy, MAHE Manipal - Dubai campus, Pearl Design Centre and Virginia Commonwealth University, Qatar. The award winner will get an internship at one of the region's leading couture houses.

Competing students were given access to the vast range of crystal fashion accessories produced by Swarovski, one of Austria's leading jewellery and accessories names.

'We will be looking for creative use of these products in the enhancement of the wedding dresses, "said Grace Ghunaim, Communications & CSC Manager, Swarovski Middle East.

"We want students to develop their creative awareness and explore design to the fullest."

Last year, 26-year old Lana Nahawi, a Palestinian student at MAHE Manipal Dubai Campus won the title. Her corseted wedding dress with leather strapping beat 29 other entries.