Art & Design Student Excels At Dubai Fashion Week

Info Updated January 2012

Content written by Fashion Designer and former student Zahra Rose..

I first came across Dubai Fashion Week when my sister and I were looking for tickets for London Fashion Week, which we regularly attend. My sister said to me, whilst browsing the web, 'Oh - There's a Dubai Fashion Week, wouldn't it be amazing if we actually went!' Later, we spotted a 'new generation' section for 'emerging talent'. I dismissed the idea, but after a few weeks consideration I applied for it without telling anyone, as I thought I probably wouldn't get it anyway. After all, I was just a girl who made a few dresses from old fabrics in my spare time, on my bedroom floor.
Little did I know that months later I would be selected to be one of four designers out of a pool of around two hundred and fifty designers who had applied from around the world.
It was the most amazing news, yet I still didn't want anyone to know about it, so I only told my direct family and a few close friends. I was immediately swamped with information for the up-coming show. What excited me most was the group of models I would have wearing my designs. I had model group A and my, were they beautiful girls! Many of them have been cover girls for Elle, Vogue and other established magazines.
I later discovered that Dubai Fashion Week was unable to cover any of my costs and I would need financial back up. Unfortunately, my family were not in a position to support this opportunity and the realisation that my dream was going to remain a dream really got me down. Gradually, however, I realised that in reality no-one is going to help you unless you help yourself.
First, I began to ring every company I could for financial backing. Unfortunately, due to it being less than a week away, a lot of funding schemes were unable to help. Later that weekend, I discovered that one of my paintings about the situation in Libya, called 'Destination: Freedom', was nominated for a painting award out of the whole of East Sussex. The works for this competition were selected by non-other than Antony Penrose, photographer and son of Lee Miller (famous model) and Roland Penrose (well established surrealist painter, close friends with Pablo Picasso and many other artists). I went on to win the East Sussex Painting Award, presented by Antony, who also made a very generous contribution to my trip to Dubai.
My Head Teacher from Bexhill College, Karen Hucker, was present for my award, along with my Art teacher; Julie Clark. They made a huge contribution toward my trip. By this point I had raised half of what I needed in a matter of hours. I was confident that people were interested in what I was doing and that being chosen was considered an achievement in itself.
I had worked for 'Believe', a local organisation that encourages young people of different beliefs, cultures and religions to get together and celebrate their differences in a positive and productive environment. 'Believe' collaborates with small organisations such as stage schools, Hastings Football Club, talented individuals and bands. I usually helped out with advertising events and was put in charge of scouting young performers. I often held fashion shows at these events and had the opportunity to make beautiful girls' dreams of modelling come true. Tim Miller, Founder of this organisation, helped me raise over a quarter of the funds, with the help of Sussex Interfaith Forum individuals.
I arrived in Dubai on the 17 October after nine hours of traveling. The plane landed at Dubai International Airport at 11.45am and I had to be at a fitting at the Monarch Hotel for 12 noon. I didn't get to the hotel until 12.30pm, but luckily I didn't appear to be late at all - they were just getting started. Meeting the models was amazing and I'm still in touch with almost every single one of them. They were so lovely and were very excited to be modelling my garments.
I then met the Presenter and Events Manager, Simon Lock, an enthusiastic character and a pleasure to meet. Throughout the day, designers were rushing in and out and a few came across my rail of clothing and were fascinated. They came over to speak with me and asked to come and see my show. I sorted out my music for the show and was given tickets for friends and family along with 'access all areas' back-stage passes. By the time we got to our hotel it was 10pm and I was beyond exhausted.
I went to the premier/launch party, which was amazing. The catwalk was transformed into sand dunes, with traditional dancers and eagles. The first model to come out was elegantly side-saddling on a beautiful white horse. As I was sitting there, amazed, none other than two of my dresses appeared on the catwalk! I was so surprised - it felt like the most incredible thing. Lots of media coverage meant I was selected to have pictures with my models for global papers/magazines.
A couple of days later I went to attended Zori Cuture's show, as I had received a personal invite from the designer. Then it was time for my show. I was only allowed a set amount of garments, but I still made my mark at the show and soon after, the lady in charge of the 'new generation' designers rushed over and told me there were interviewers wanting to speak to me. I got down to business and did around nine interviews: TV, radio, newspaper and even email. I felt like a celebrity and whilst I was on the metro people approached me to ask 'are you the designer, Zahra Rose?' It was a totally amazing experience.
Since Dubai Fashion Week, I have received three job offers, design collaboration offers, model requests and even an amazing offer to take part in India's Fashion and Culture week this month. Watch this space, because this is only the beginning...
Thank you to all my sponsors, my beautiful models, my parents and loved ones and all my Facebook 'fans'- everyone who has taken interest in what I'm doing!

Click here for high resolution

Click here for high resolution