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The Vogue Fashion Prize is an annual endowment granted to the most promising fashion, accessories, and jewelry design talents from across the Arab world. Beginning in 2020, the Fashion Prize will be strategically powered by NEOM, the giga-project located in the North-West of Saudi Arabia with a particular emphasis on fostering innovation and sustainability in the fashion sector.

The Fashion Prize was founded in 2015 and invigorates fashion and design talent by providing a program for emerging designers to showcase their abilities. It is overseen by a Selection Committee comprising senior leaders from Vogue Arabia and both the regional and international fashion communities.

Award finalists and ultimate winners are selected based on demonstrable talent, innovative use of technology and sustainable design methods, and capacity for future success.

Since 2015, hundreds of different designers from nearly 20 countries across the Arab world have applied to the Fashion Prize. Winners have included Hussein Bazaza (ready-to-wear), Reemami (ready-to-wear), Okhtein (accessories), Ralph Masri (fine jewelry), Faissal El-Malak (ready-to-wear), Joanna Laura Constantine (accessories / jewelry), and Nadine Ghosn (fine jewelry).

In 2020, the Fashion Prize will be open to ready-to-wear, couture, accessories, and jewelry designers from across the Arab world and Arab diaspora. The Fashion Prize will award winning designers with substantial financial grants, retail opportunities, editorial/press, marketing, and mentorship, collectively representing nearly US $500,000 in value. The winning designer will receive placement on Net-a-Porter. Furthermore, all 2020 finalists will be present at a Fashion Prize showroom during Paris Fashion Week in March 2021.

#VogueFashionPrize #DiscoverNEOM

The applicant eligibility requirements for the 2020 Vogue Fashion Prize are as follows:

  • You are over the age of 21 and currently residing in, or originally from, an Arab country* or have your business principally based in the Arab world;
  • You have been in business for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 8, and produced a minimum of 2 full collections during this time;
  • Your collection consists of womenswear (ready-to-wear or couture), accessories, jewelry, or menswear;
  • You have international or regional stockists and/or sell direct to consumer;
  • You’re able to demonstrate support from regional and/or international media; and
  • You’ve never won the award before.
  • Note: You can apply up to 5 times. Previous finalists may also apply.

*The Arab world includes: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The Arab diaspora is also eligible.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2020 FASHION PRIZE.

A select group of Finalists will be announced in November 2020 and selected to participate in the full Fashion Prize program. Applicants who are not invited to continue will be notified, in writing, of the Selection Committee’s decision.

The Vogue Fashion Prize Selection Committee comprises senior executives from Vogue Arabia and both the regional and international fashion communities.

Manuel Arnaut

Editor-In-Chief,
Vogue Arabia

Manuel Arnaut is the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Arabia.

Manuel Arnaut is a Portuguese journalist and editor graduated from Lisbon's Higher School of Media and Studies and the Complutense Mr. University of Madrid, with a specialization in Social History of Fashion.

Mr. Arnaut began his professional career at Vogue Portugal, where over a period of seven years he interviewed fashion’s leading figures such as Tom Ford, Peter Dundas, Marc Jacobs, Emanuele Ungaro, and Diane von Fürstenberg, among others. After a three-year stint at GQ Portugal, where he held the position of Editor, Mr. Arnaut moved to Dubai to successfully launch Architectural Digest Middle East. Within a short period of time, Mr. Arnaut secured covers with international icons such as Zaha Hadid, Donatella Versace, and Elie Saab, and was granted exclusive access to royal palaces from across the Gulf, in an unprecedented regional coup. Mr. Arnaut is active in philanthropic work in the region: while at Architectural Digest Middle East, he organized charity events to benefit Dubai Cares and UNICEF MENA.

Mr. Arnaut has also contributed to some of the world's top publications including the Brazilian editions of Vogue and GQ, Architectural Digest Mexico, Madame Figaro (Maxima), and Wallpaper. Aside from fashion and writing, music is one of the accomplished cellist's passions.

HH Princess Noura
bint Faisal Al Saud

Fashion Commission,
Saudi Ministry of Culture

Her Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud joined the Ministry of Culture in June 2019. Princess Noura advises the Ministry on developing strategies for the fashion sector in the Kingdom, building local and international partnerships with fashion institutions and developing Saudi talent in fashion.

Princess Noura is an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She began her career in 2009 in the United States and in 2015 she co-founded a talent and lifestyle company. In 2017, she founded Global Fashion House, a fashion consultancy firm based in Riyadh.

In April 2018, Princess Noura organized the first Saudi Fashion Week, in which international and local stakeholders and designers participated. Since then, she has been recognized as an expert and pioneer in the fashion industry. Princess Noura graduated from Effat University in Jeddah with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing and a master’s degree in International Business with a Japanese Perspective from Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan. She worked on the launch of the “Saudi Fast Growth 100” program, part of All World Network, an entrepreneurship organization co-founded by Michael Porter of Harvard Business School. The announcement of the program was overseen by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).

She is fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Japanese.

Angelica Cheung

Editor-In-Chief,
Vogue China

Upon joining Condé Nast China as the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue China in 2005, Angelica Cheung spearheaded the launch of the publication and for the past fifteen years, has led its growth to international acclaim. From its inception, Vogue China’s combination of original creative content and global vision set a new benchmark for Chinese fashion publications. Whilst working closely with the world’s leading photographers, stylists, models and designers, Vogue China has also dedicated itself to supporting local Chinese talent and sustained efforts to bring the Chinese fashion industry to international prominence. Over the past fifteen years, featured models like Du Juan and Liu Wen have become top international supermodels, whilst many young, talented Chinese designers, through Vogue China’s promotion, havereceived recognition from international media. Led by Angelica, V ogue China has risen with unprecedented speed to become one of the biggest and most influential Vogue editions.

Constantly looking ahead, in 2016, Angelica introduced Vogue Me, a new bimonthly publication and digital platform targeted at the young, digitally active generation. In 2017, Vogue Film was launched to produce fashion films of exemplary quality through collaboration with leading creatives, merging the boundaries between fashion film and print. At the beginning of 2018, Vogue Now became the newest member of the Vogue China family, a digital magazine combining photography, film, audio and text to highlight of the moment personalities through Vogue’s point of view. In addition, Angelica also oversees all the digital platforms including the website, social media channels and the trendsetting mobile app Vogue Mini which launched in 2015, successfully introducing the brand to the next generation through digital media.

Angelica Cheung graduated from Beijing (Peking) University with degrees in Law and English Language and Literature, and has an MBA degree from the University of South Australia.

Before becoming Editor-in-Chief of Vogue China, Angelica was previously the Editorial Director of Elle China, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire Hong Kong, Associate Publisher of Hong Kong English-language fashion magazine B International, and the launch Executive Editor of English-language daily newspaper Hong Kong iMail.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Fashion Designer

Jean Paul Gaultier was born in 1952 in a Paris suburb and has started his career with Pierre Cardin in 1970, on the day of his 18th birthday. After working at Esterel, Patou and again at Cardin, Gaultier decided to start his own fashion house and staged his first show in Paris in 1976. Critical and commercial success followed quickly and by the early eighties he was one of the most talked about young designers. From the beginning of his career, Jean Paul Gaultier wanted to show that beauty has many facets and that we can find it where we least expect it like in a lowly tin can which first became a bracelet and later the packaging for his hugely successful perfume. His menswear was launched in 1984 with the “Male Object” collection and in 1997 Gaultier has realized his dream of starting an haute couture collection “Gaultier Paris”. He was also the designer for Hermes womenswear from 2004 to 2011. In 2015 Mr. Gaultier decided to stop his ready to wear and continue with the haute couture.

Throughout his career Gaultier has worked in dance, music and the cinema. His costumes for Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour have left an indelible imprint on the popular culture. His first collaboration in the cinema was with Peter Greeneway for “The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover” in 1989. He also designed costumes for “The City of Lost Children” by Caro and Jeunet, “Fifth Element” by Luc Besson and has worked three times with Pedro Almodovar on “Kika”, “Bad Education” and “The Skin I live In”.

In 2018 he presented the Fashion Freak Show at the Folies Bergere in Paris, a revue that tells the story of his life and the fifty years of popular culture through song and dance and fashion. After a triumphant nine month run in Paris the show will now commence its international tour.

In January 2020, Mr Gaultier presented his last Haute Couture show celebrating 50 years of Fashion at the Theatre du Chatelet. A huge show featuring master pieces on the catwalk with Famous models, VIPs and friends of the House, and with artists performing on stage like Catherine Ringer and Boy George.

From now on, the “House of Gaultier” will continue its Haute Couture activities with one guest designer per season who will reinterpret the codes of the House.

Amina Muaddi

Founder & Creative Director,
Amina Muaddi

Growing up between Jordan, Romania and Italy, Amina developed an eye for what taste-makers around the world truly want – that perfect blend of effortless glamour, impeccable craftsmanship and fashion-forward style. Something new and fresh, with its roots in timeless quality.

After studying at the European Institute of Design in Milan and styling stints for L’Uomo Vogue and GQ US, she found that designing shoes was the perfect expression of her creative vision. She challenged herself to learn her new trade from the essentials, taking off to the Riviera del Brenta, Italy’s storied shoe-making district.

There, she worked with world-class artisans and suppliers to develop each and every one of her shoes’ 40-50 components. She co-founded her first shoe brand, Oscar Tiye in Milan, then moved to Paris, where she collaborated with French couturier Alexandre Vauthier on the launch of his eponymous shoe line which she designs to thiS day. At the end of 2019, Amina has been commissioned by Rihanna to design the footwear for her brand Fenty. The first drop recently launched in July 2020.

Today, she’s turned her focus to her greatest project: Amina Muaddi the brand. Designed in Paris, produced in Italy, with an international heart. The perfect fit for today’s taste-maker.

Mohammed Ashi

Founder & Creative Director,
Ashi Studio

Ashi was born in 1980 in Saudi Arabia. He lived and studied there until he was 17 years old. Since a young age, Ashi was passionate about art so he enrolled in art classes before moving to the United States to continue his university studies.

After a marketing graduation, he realized that he is passionate about fashion, so he moved to Paris to attend fashion school and one year later he decided to move to Beirut and began attending the prestigious fashion school Esmod to study fashion design, and graduated with an Honorary degree.

He then interned for one year with big renowned Fashion houses in Paris before moving back to Beirut to launch his eponymous Label, Ashi Studio, in 2007. Since Ashi Studio was launched, it’s sole purpose has been empowering people, by creating to fit around their life, rather than imposing a style or dictating a taste. Ashi Studio does not simply design clothes, but tells stories through details that are intimate to the wearer and to the craft of couture itself.

His critically acclaimed work by Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia and L'Uomo reflects a wearable art. Ashi Studio’s emphasis has always been the sensual aristocracy. Ashi knocks the door of divine diversity and intense passion. He refers to different cultures in an elegantly crafted way, although the Arabic cells inspired his luxurious loyalty and treasure trove.

Now based in Paris, he gained rapid recognition. Aiming to garner praise in timeless and modern elegance, his designs present a classic update for the greatest codes of fashion. Wild & white, Ashi Studio transforms his muse to morph from summer to winter with sharp-cut shapes, curve-hugging and ladylike Couture.

Katie Trotter

Fashion Director,
Vogue Arabia

Upon graduating with a First Class Honors degree in Fashion Design and Business Studies, Katie worked in the design studio of the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Working on some of his most iconic shows such as Deliverance and Pantheon as Lecum, she developed a deep understanding of the design process and the power of imagery to evoke emotion. It was here that she began to explore the collision between fashion and art within her work.

As a creative director who possesses a deep level of understanding of content and the influence of the visual arts as a whole, Katie has worked as a director in global luxury titles worldwide for the past 15 years, spearheading teams to international acclaim within print and advertising, specializing in photography, film and storytelling.

Prior to taking on the role of Fashion Director at Vogue Arabia in 2017, Katie was Content Director for Harpers Bazaar Arabia, where she brought her expertise to 360° commercial ventures and special projects.

Most recently, during her tenure at Vogue Arabia, Katie has collaborated with photographers such as Peter Lindbergh and Patrick Demarchelier, bridging the gap between regional and international fashion conversations. Under her creative direction, Vogue Arabia has received recognition from international media for thought provoking cover stories that promote diversity, as well as nurturing regional talent worldwide.

Livia Firth

Founder, Eco Age; Sustainability Editor-at-Large, Vogue Arabia

Livia Firth is Co-founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC). She is renowned for creating compelling frameworks and campaigns for environmental and social justice with global reach. A founding member of Annie Lennox’s ‘The Circle’, a powerful women’s advocacy group, she recently presented the findings of The Circle’s Living Wage report to the EU Commission. Livia is a UN Leader of Change and has also been recognised with the UN Fashion 4 Development Award and the Rainforest Alliance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability. She is a powerful communicator on progressive change; her keynote addresses include to the World Economic Forum.

Livia Firth is also Vogue Arabia's Sustainability Editor-at-Large.

Nisreen Shocair

Chief Executive Officer,
Middle East - Yoox Net-a-Porter Group

Nisreen joins the Group with extensive global retail and e-commerce expertise, holding senior positions across the Middle East, Europe and New York. She joins the company from HSE24, an omnichannel retailer offering fashion and beauty through digital channels and television. Nisreen led the company’s merchandising, planning, supply chain and digital strategies, with a particular focus on engaging with the young Middle East customer.

Prior to this Nisreen was the President of Virgin Megastore, Middle East and North Africa, for more than ten years, where she introduced leading retail and digital initiatives that delivered outstanding levels of customer experience. Nisreen has also held senior marketing roles at Hearst Entertainment and Bertelsmann AG.

Farida Khelfa

International Fashion Model
and Filmmaker

Born in Lyon to Algerian parents, Farida Khelfa grew up in the Lyon suburbs surrounded by eight brothers and sisters. Aspiring to a different kind of life, she left to Paris when she was a teenager. In the capital, she made several encounters. Christian Louboutin became her best friend. Together, they went out at night to party at the famous Palace.

Her personality, her allure, her silhouette and her beauty, far removed from the aesthetics of her era, defined her as a young woman whom nobody could ignore. In 1979, Jean Paul Gaultier noticed her and asked her to partake in his fashion show. This first catwalk experience jump-started her modeling career. After that she was often present on the podiums of the most talented designers of that generation: Jean-Paul Gaultier, Azzedine Alaïa, Thierry Mugler… She incarnated a spirit and a look that hinted rebel while also encapsulating the desire for diversity that was the rage of that era.

Meanwhile she worked at the Bains-Douches, where as a physionomist she decided who could enter the nightclub. This is when she met Jean-Paul Goude who considered her his muse. The photographs they produced together quickly became legendary.

Inspired by all these experiences, Farida involved herself in the cinema as early as 1985. Her career as an actress and a model ended in 1995 when she decided to join Azzedine Alaïa’s design studio. In 2002, she became the head of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Haute Couture salons.

In 2004, Farida became once again independent. She went back to the world of cinema. She was filmed by Alain Robbe-Grillet, Julian Schnabel, Cédric Klapisch, Catherine Breillat… As with fashion, where she worked first as a model, then with designers, in 2010 she switched from actress to film direction. Her first documentary showcased the success story of Jean Paul Gaultier. Others followed, featuring subjects as divergent as the artistic youth of Tunisia after the revolution or the French presidential campaign of 2012.

But, fashion remains one of the main pillars in her life. In May 2012, Farida Khelfa became the House of Schiaparelli’s ambassador, evoking the purest spirit of a multi-faceted woman as embodied by the founder of this mythical house.

In 2017 she went back to film to do a documentary on women in the Arabian Peninsula From The Other Side Of The Veil.

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