UAE Fashion Awards 2006
First UAE Fashion Awards Ceremony held at Sharjah Ladies Club

Thursday 16 March, 2006 –

At a glittering ceremony attended by royalty, VIPs and leading names in the fashion industry, Her Excellency Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Chairperson of the Sharjah Ladies Club announced the winner of the first UAE Fashion Awards.
The winner of the first Fashion Awards was Maria Calva-Drewitz, a fashion student. The Fashion Awards 2006, launched last year by the Sharjah Ladies Club, aims to discover and nurture talent and creativity among women in the Emirates. Participants were young designers who have yet to establish themselves in the fashion industry. The Fashion Awards 2006 was officially sponsored by Damas Jewelry and supported by Saks Fifth Avenue – two of the most celebrated names in the UAE.

Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al-Qasimi, Vice-President of the Sharjah Ladies Club, said; “The Fashion Awards provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the talent and creativity amongst female amateur designers of its kind. Sharjah Ladies Club is proud to have been the first to organize a contest of its kind in the UAE. It embodies the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed, founder Chairperson of the Club, to turn Sharjah Ladies Club into a center of development and creative expression of women.”

The UAE Fashion Awards were judged by a committee of women with renowned expertise in the fashion industry. The criteria used by judges to select the award winning designs included ‘quality and originality’, ‘design and fashion details’ and ‘wearability’. The five shortlisted designs were brought to life in a display by models on the catwalk. The audience were also treated to a showing of Damas’ latest jewellery collection and an exclusive preview by leading designer, Nicole Miller, one of the most respect names in the international fashion industry.

The five shortlisted designers each received a certificate and prizes from Her Excellency Sheikha Jawaher. The overall winner was awarded with scholarships and courses at the Pearl Fashion Academy, 10,000 Dhs cash prize, as well as an all expense paid trip to the world’s capital of fashion, New York.

The UAE Fashion Awards 2006 was the first such initiative for the Sharjah Ladies Club. The organizers were surprised by the amount of submissions received, and also impressed by the quality and creativity of the entries. The participants were from many countries, though by far the majority were from national Emirati women. Sharjah Ladies Club intends the UAE Fashion Awards to be an annual event and to herald an era of discovering, promoting and rewarding local female talent and creativity.

“Sharjah Ladies Club is not simply a place for rest and pampering. Our desire is to create an inspiring environment where women’s talent, creativity and beauty will thrive and develop. The first Fashion Awards is a major step to achieving this vision”, concluded Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al-Qasimi.