Deadline for entries to Swarovski Young Designer of The Year Award 2006 draws near

The Award, being held for the sixth consecutive year as part of The Bride Show Dubai 2006, is now open to amateur designers, providing the Middle East's fashion and design amateur access to a popular forum from which to showcase their unique creations to prospective brides, their families, Arab women and expatriates in the UAE, GCC states and neighbouring countries.

Charlotte Proudman, Event Manager, The Bride Show Dubai 2006 said,

"By seeking participation of amateur designers, the Award hopes to promote creativity and raise standards of the Middle East's fashion industry. It will allow local designers to market their lavish creations before a wider market, helping the region's fashion industry to secure a niche for itself in the global fashion world."

Sponsored by Swarovski, Austria's leading jewellery and accessories maker, the award invites entries under the theme "Dress Satine", Nicole Kidman's character in the film "Moulin Rouge". Ten finalists will be chosen in each category -- Amateur Designer Category and Student Designer Category, among whom one winner and one runner-up will be selected in the respective categories, by a panel of judges drawn from eminent personalities in the fashion and glamour industry.

An 'Innovation Award' will be presented to one contestant among the 20 finalists while the winner will receive a certificate, a Swarovski Trophy and an internship valid for one year. All participants will be presented certificates. 'The Young Designers Award is one of the most important attractions at The Bride Show Dubai 2006, eliciting huge support from the region's design industry and allowing amateur and student designers to display their creations on a professional catwalk before a target audience of thousands,' Proudman concluded.

With the involvement of event sponsors Swarovski and the professional fashion industry, participants in the Swarovski Young Designer of The Year Award are given access to workshops and tutored on skills development. All finalists get to display their creations for the public at the final Swarovski Young Designer of The Year Award Fashion Show -- a professional catwalk with professional models-held on the final day of The Bride Show Dubai 2006.