it is the dream of all new designers to see their creations being sashayed on the catwalk by famous models in the midst of an international audience. For several amateur designers from Dubai, that fantasy will come true at ‘Creations ‘The Young Fashion Designers’ Dream’, the opening segment of Dubai Fashion 2005. This event has been designed to provide a unique platform for Dubai based designers of different nationalities and ages to showcase their creativity and reach out to fashion lovers across the globe.

Dubai Fashion 2005Creations opened on January 15, with two shows titled Celebrating Cultures held at BurJuman. Emirati designer Shamoukh’s elegant haute couture creations kicked off this celebration. Representing India is Peacock Couture, a collection of fusion garments by Shane and Falguni, which blends the best of Eastern craftsmanship and colour with western silhouettes and finish. Bringing in a flavour of Pakistan to this eclectic mix is Nomi Ansari, whose ethnic salwar kurtas, churidaars and sarees with their soft flowing silhouettes and vibrant colours celebrate Paksitan’s rich heritage.

From January 16 till January 21, the shows are held daily (except on the 20th) at BurJuman featuring amateur designers. Seven young designers and a Dubai based fashion design institute have been selected this year to participate in Creations. They have been provided full support by the DSF organising committee in terms of financial backing for the event as well as other arrangements such as venue, support teams, music, hair, make-up as well as media and marketing back-up. Celebrity international models have been flown down to display the collections on the ramp and well-known Indian choreographer Achala Sachdev has been invited to choreograph the shows to provide a professional touch to the ramp debut of the designers. A special feature of Creations this year is that every designer has been given the opportunity to have their collections on sale at Burjuman on the day following their show.

The designers may be new to the ramp, but their innovative and varied offerings are bound to impress and influence trend watchers. Indian designer Gulzar Vijan set the ball rolling on January 16, with her eco-friendly collection of western wear. The young designer specialises in traditional dyeing and printing techniques and uses only vegetable dyes in her work. Her collections have been well received in the US and India and she was excited about her first showing in Dubai.

Dubai Fashion 2005Next on the ramp was Karieshma Hiranandani. Karieshma has a flair for designing and keeps abreast of latest fashion trends. Using skilled craftsmen in India, she creates trendy collections of Indian and Indo-western fusion wear every season.

The young designer, who prefers to sell her collections from her home in Dubai, already has a loyal clientele, but is sure to win over more after her debut ramp show here.

On January 19, the spotlight will be on a group of young fashion-design students from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The students have worked backstage at several international shows in Dubai as well as for Dubai-based brands Pepper and Nayomi. But this is their first opportunity to showcase their work at an international forum and they are determined to make an impression. Jordanian, Aida Ghanem’s impeccably cut and beautifully embellished jellabiyas will also be seen on the ramp on January 19.

Bringing the curtain down on Creations will be ‘Kalpa’ a label launched by Indian designer Kalpa Patel who has had several private exhibitions in Dubai and other countries and is to launch her designer label at the finale of the Creations 2005 on January 21 while Syrian designer Jamal Al Saady’s creations will reflect the latest trends in Arab-Western fusion wear on the same day. However, for all the young designers featured in the shows, it will be the beginning of a bright future.