The DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize is an annual endowment granted to the most promising fashion, accessories, and high jewelry design talents in the Arab world. The first of its kind in the Middle East, the Fashion Prize was launched in 2015 and invigorates regional talent by providing a yearly program for emerging designers to showcase their abilities. It is overseen by a Selection Committee comprising senior executives from Vogue Arabia, the Dubai Design & Fashion Council, and both the regional and international fashion communities.
Award finalists and ultimate winners are selected based on demonstrable talent 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 (2015, ready-to-wear, Lebanon), Hind Matar (2015, ready-to-wear, Bahrain), Reemami (2016, ready-to-wear, UAE), Okhtein (2016, accessories, Egypt), and Ralph Masri (2016, fine jewelry, Lebanon).
In 2017, the Fashion Prize will award three different winners: ready-to-wear, accessories, and high jewelry. The 2017 ready-to-wear, accessory, and high jewelry winners of the Fashion Prize will be announced this November. The winning designers will receive a financial production grant; retail pick-up from selected retail partners; mentorship from various members of the Selection Committee; media/press coverage; and an advertising campaign promoting their Spring/Summer retail launch, collectively representing over US $250,000 in value. Additional prizes of mentoring and/or business support may be awarded to other DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize finalists.