The DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize ready-to-wear and accessories finalists have landed in Dubai, and we are hours away from tomorrow’s jury deliberation. Ahead of the finalists’ presentations to the selection committee, we take you behind the scenes from their photoshoot today with Jeddah-based, Lebanese photographer Ali Cha’aban.
Sharing her on-set experience with Vogue Arabia is Mounaz Abdelraouf, one part of the sister designer duo behind accessories label Okhtein, “So far, the Fashion Prize experience has been great; we are thrilled to be part of it. Regardless of what the results are, just being part of the first Fashion Prize under the name of Vogue Arabia is a historical moment for us.” Meanwhile, Farah Nasri, the brainchild behind jewelry label Hooked | HKD, is all smiles as she discusses her journey, “To actually have come this far and be regarded as one of the top five [accessories] brands in the region is such a great milestone for my brand.”
The set is buzzing with nerves as designers get closer to the finish line. “Since the finalists were revealed, it was all about getting the job done in the best possible way, and delivering a great product. Now that we are so close—the nerves of facing the jury are building up,” says Daneh Buahmad. After wrapping up her photoshoot session against the colorful backdrop, Ayah Tabari of Mochi shares her feelings about the competition, “It’s a learning curve and it’s an experience and a challenge that has made me grow and learn things about myself that I wasn’t aware of before. As much as I am nervous, I’m excited.”
