The Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris has announced the creation of the Arab World Institute Fashion Prize, aimed at Arab designers, whether resident or from the diaspora. The prize aims to make the Arab world a true breeding ground for talent and a launching point for young designers and fashion innovators to enter the international arena.
The competition is open to two categories:
The Emerging Talents category, which will reward the young creator whose creative vision and development potential have captured the attention of the jury.
The Innovative Talents category, which will recognize creators who have adopted new approaches, materials, techniques or technological innovations in the field of production.
Which nationalities can participate?
The competition is open to candidates, whether residents or from the diaspora, who hold the nationality of one of the member countries of the League of Arab States: Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Comoros and Yemen.
Created in 1980 as part of a partnership between France and 22 member countries of the Arab League, the Arab World Institute aims to promote Arab culture. The fashion prize is part of this mission, with the ambition of making the IMA a benchmark for launching young designers from the Arab world, whether resident or from the diaspora. This initiative comes at a time when the Arab world's fashion scene is experiencing intense creative effervescence, as evidenced by the various Fashion Weeks organized in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Lebanon. Many Arab designers also regularly participate in international Fashion Weeks and dress the biggest stars on the red carpets of global art festivals.
Participation dates
Applications for this first edition of the IMA fashion competition opened on March 15 and will remain open until June 15, via online registration on the Arab World Institute website.
The selection jury will meet in July to select the finalists, comprising 10 candidates per category. Organizers have specified that projects incorporating eco-responsible practices and contributing positively to social and local well-being will receive special consideration. The final jury meeting will take place in October, and the results will be announced at the end of Paris Fashion Week.
