GULF NEWS TABLOID: 18TH MARCH 2006

Three UAE women win awards at fashion competition

More than 500 guests celebrated the winners of the UAE Fashion Award Design 2006 at the Sharjah Ladies Club on Wednesday against a backdrop of fairytale lights, music and wafting models.

Shaikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, vice-president of Sharjah Ladies Club, told Gulf News the fashion awards was the vision of Sharjah Ladies Club Chairperson and the head of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Her Highness Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

"Shaikha Jawaher wants to promote inspired, talented and creative ladies of all nationalities in Sharjah and in the UAE," said Shaikha Bodour. "We are looking to offer an inspiring environment where the talents, creativity and inner beauty of women can thrive and develop," she said.
And that's exactly what the awards did. Five winners were selected from the more than 100 entries. Three winners were from the UAE, one from Pakistan and one from Ecuador.
It was difficult picking out a winner. "We were looking for originality, the idea behind the design and creativity. We also looked for details, the choice of fabrics and whether the designs were wearable."
The young and talented Shaikha Bodour said the very first fashion awards ceremony was a major achievement and they would work to make it a regular event. "We were surprised with the level of entries and the wonderful designs we received. Even the drawings were of very high quality," she said.
The five, extremely qualified judges were impressed with the entries which included the works of designers between 10 and 15 years.

Apart from the different age groups, there were also women from various nationalities. "We even received applications from other countries but right now, we have reserved the award for UAE residents," she said.
"We would like to see more fashion houses in the UAE directed by national women. There is a great deal of hidden talent and it should come to light," Shaikha Bodour said.