DUBAI: A Saudi designer beat 11 other contestants to win a Dh500,000 fashion retail deal in the first season of reality TV show ‘Fashion Star’.

Arwa Al-Ammari was crowned the first ever winner of the pan-Arab reality show ‘Fashion Star’. Al-Ammari beat 11 other contestants to win a design deal worth Dh500,000 to have her clothes sold on online retail site Namshi.com.

Internationally known Lebanese designer Reem Acra was head mentor on the show, which aired weekly for 10 episodes on Dubai One. Designers Hana Bin Abdul Salam and Ramzi Tabiat both served as mentors to their respective of designers, who faced elimination every week. Al-Ammari was part of Tabiat’s team

Fashion Star, which premiered on Feb. 3, is an Arabic revival of the American reality show of the same name that was canceled after two seasons in 2013.

“We are thrilled for Arwa and proud to showcase her collection on Namshi. Her designs and winning collection sit perfectly with our desire to help support, develop and nurture fashion talent from the region,” said Ian Smith, the marketing director at Namshi.com.