Shoe designers invited to apply for prize

14/09/2018
Non-profit organisation Fashion Trust Arabia has launched a competition to find, fund and nurture design talent in the Middle East and North Africa, and increase global awareness of the “rapidly growing fashion industry” in this part of the world.

Designers who are based in the Middle East and North Africa and have been in business for a minimum of three years have until January to apply for the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize.

There are four categories: evening wear, ready-to-wear, jeweller and accessories. In the accessories category, the organisers have made it clear they want to see designs for either bags or shoes. They want to focus exclusively on womenswear.

Entrants will be invited to declare how much money they need to take their businesses to “the next level” and, if they win, they will receive the full amount.

Fashion Trust Arabia is under the patronage of Qatar’s former first lady, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and is co-chaired by her daughter, Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani. It is the only initiative of its kind operating in the Arab world.