international and Dubai-based designers
F.A.M.E, Dubai’s popular talent show for people of determination, is returning to our stage this
summer with a fresh focus on fashion. ‘F.A.M.E Fashion – Runway of Dreams’ will take place on
Sunday, 25 th June, at the Dubai World Trade Center at 6pm. The show features 35 young people of
determination (ranging from ages 8 to 36), many of whom have been part of FAME since its
inception. Several new participants are also joining the talent showcase for the first time.
F.A.M.E participants will walk the catwalk alongside professional models, wearing collections from
six international and Dubai-based designers. There will also be several talent acts between the
catwalk segments, including drumming, dancing, and singing, and a performance by Step-Up
Academy’s Dance Syndrome.
Six designers will showcase their collections and design bespoke pieces for the fashion extravaganza,
including:
Dubai-based designers
Tasneem Fatima Nawab, founder of Zaish. Zaish is a social enterprise that creates
handcrafted, sustainable and ethical denim shirts and jackets. The brand’s roots lie in
providing artists and artisans with the recognition and the fair wage they deserve. 10% of
the profits go towards artisans under the poverty line in addition to the fair wages they are
paid during the production process.
The Queen C Boutique – The Queen C Boutique is inspired by traditional Arabic women’s
clothing with a unique touch of modernity.
Soham Bahadur’s collection VirLauTus combines his passion for fashion and sustainability to
solve problems in society. Soham’s adaptive clothing is designed for people of
determination, suitable for all.
International designers
Rina Dhaka is a fashion designer and entrepreneur who made a promising entry into the
Indian fashion scene around the late eighties. She became one of the most creative and
dynamic fashion designers India has ever witnessed. Referred to as the Gautier of the East
by the BBC, Rina is known for combining traditional Indian garments with 20 th -century
modern fabrics like Lycra and jersey.
Ekta Solanki studied at the prestigious London College of Fashion and opened her bespoke
design house in 2004. She is recognised as one of the UK’s leading bridal and evening wear
designers. Her couture label is luxurious and distinctive; each piece is hand-made and
finished to perfection using only the finest fabrics, such as French chiffon, silk duppion and
French lace.
Ziggi Menswear is based in the UK and specialises in groomswear, bespoke, made-to-
measure sherwanis and suits.
Rosy Ahmed launched F.A.M.E seven years ago, inspired by her daughter Hana (27) who has Down
Syndrome. She wanted to provide a platform for young people with special educational needs to
showcase their talent and encourage inclusion with a free, fun-filled event for the whole community.
Talking about the upcoming show, Rosy said: “we’re very excited to bring this year’s audience a
fresh perspective focused on fashion and creativity. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, so
we decided to develop a fully-inclusive catwalk event. We are extremely grateful to all of the
wonderful designers who have joined us to raise awareness and celebrate diversity. And we hope
this will be a catalyst for more inclusive community events aimed at mainstream audiences in the
future.
“We are all the same we don’t differentiate. We have no labels on the show. We are there for a
group of young determined people who may need extra support, help, guidance and a platform to
achieve their goals and dreams.”
This year, F.A.M.E (which stands for fashion, art, music and entertainment), is pleased to announce
Gulf Islamic Investments as the title sponsor for the event.
