Do you have what it takes to break into the world of fashion? Do you have a brand that you’d like to launch on an international platform? Are you looking for mentorship from the world’s best fashion instructors?

Vogue Italia, in partnership with Dubai Mall, has launched a talent-scouting competition to find the next generation of fashion designers who will have their collections showcased at Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience (VFDE), a glitzy extravaganza attended by the who’s who of the global luxury fashion industry.

Last October saw the inaugural launch of the competition, securing the participation of Saudi designers Razan Alazzouni and Mohammed Ashi among six other international designers. They represented their collections at a fashion show hosted at Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment arcade, in partnership with Vogue Italia.

“It was an honor to be selected as one of the designers for the event,” said Alazzouni.

“Getting that kind of international exposure and the mentorship really benefited the brand and myself both in the creative aspect and in terms of the industry. I am very grateful for all the help and advice I got. It was the most exciting moment in my life to meet so many people in fashion that I admire,” she said.

Alazzouni, who has dressed the likes of Paris Hilton, said: “It was a great opportunity to get different points of view and feedback from professionals in the industry. As a designer it is very beneficial to get technical views from people who understand the ins and outs of making a garment, as well as marketing and selling.”

The show last year was attended by DSQUARED designer twins Dan and Dean Caten, Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova, Donatella Versace, Silvio Fendi and Roberto Cavalli. This gave the young designers an opportunity to get global exposure because of the presence of fashion editors, writers and journalists from all over the world.

Franca Sozzani, editor in chief of Vogue Italia, said: “Dubai today is the must-be place for the global fashion industry, and Dubai Mall, a definitive fashion destination. The city serves as the hub for talent across the region to attract international attention through the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience. Our global talent scouting competition, aimed at young designers, will further elevate the city’s credentials in the fashion industry.”

The competition is open to young fashion designers worldwide who have brands that have been established for a minimum of one year, and will be curated by BySymphony, a luxury online fashion portal, and hosted by Emaar Properties.

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “The inaugural Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience set a new benchmark for the fashion industry in the Middle East region, and defined Dubai as a global fashion capital. One of the core priorities of organizing the event was to provide a truly global platform for young designers, and put the spotlight of the international fashion industry on the amazing talent in the region."

“We are now taking it to the next level through the competition, which will enable our young talent to step into the limelight and establish their credentials as the next generation of international designers.”

Interested designers can mail their applications before April 2014 to [email protected], with a short biography, a written description of the collection’s inspiration, hi-resolution photographs or videos of already produced collections, and information about the brands' distribution channels.

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