Dubai Ladies Club, a member of Dubai Women Establishment, organised an exclusive fashion extravaganza trip to Paris for the three Emirati winners of the Oriental Red Carpet Emerging Designer Contest 2009. On 15th November, 2009 the three lucky designers flew to Paris for an all-expense-paid excursion to Paris’s fashion attractions. The agenda included visits to fashion emporiums & museums as well as special behind-the-scene visit and exclusive tour of Louis Vuitton’s historical workshops and its Espace Culturel.
Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club commented: “We are pleased to be able to offer the three Emirati designers with the unique opportunity to travel to the fashion capital of the world – Paris. Through this initiative we aim to give the young Emirati designers valuable exposure to learn about the international fashion scene and use that new found knowledge to expand their businesses in the UAE, which is a promise we take on our shoulders as a support to the young and dynamic local entrepreneurs and we are proud to support the fashion leaders of the future.”
In Paris, the Emirati designers had the rare opportunity visit to Louis Vuitton’s historical workshop in Asnières, where the designers witnessed craftsmen hand-making Louis Vuitton luxury leather and travel goods, followed by a trip to the Maison des Champs Elysee to preview Louis Vuitton’s latest collection. The day concluded at Louis Vuitton’s Espace Culturel.
During their stay in Paris, ladies also visited Musée de la Mode et du Costume de Paris, dedicated to the history of Fashion from the 18th century to present; the Musée de la Mode et du textile, museum of fashion and textiles located in the Louvre and Tout a Loisir, speciality store for Parisian handicrafts frequented by professional designers of elegant accessories.
About Oriental Red Carpet Ramadan 2009:

The Oriental Red Carpet Fashion Show is an annual fashion design contest for emerging Emirati designers; organised by Dubai Ladies Club, a subsidiary of Dubai Women Establishment. Following the success of its inaugural launch in 2008, the competition returned once again as a pioneering campaign aimed at promoting young emerging designers and advancing their careers through extensive media exposure and introductions to key local & international clientele.
This year, aspiring designers were invited to rise to the challenge of conceiving ‘The Next Big Trend’ in Khaleeji fashion. The competition was divided into three categories – Abayas, Jalabiyas and Ready-to-Wear.
At a private Judging Ceremony held in early August, Fatima Al Hashimi (winner of Jalabiyas category), Athija Al Mazroui (winner of Abayas category) and Mariam Al Mazrou (winner of Ready-to-wear category) were selected, by a group of eminent panellists, from among 10 shortlisted Emirati fashion designers in three categories – Jalabiyas, Abayas and Ready-to-Wear.
This year’s selection committee included Ms Mirvat Ghanem, Editor of L’Officiel Middle East magazine, Mr Gonzague Duriez, Managing Director of Arabesque shailas and abayas, Ms Jo Wright, Personal Stylist for Boutique 1 and Ms Mai Sulaiman, Communications Director of Dubai Ladies Club.
The Oriental Red Carpet Fashion Show has been a launch pad for a number of distinguished local fashion designers such as Reem Beljafla, Fatima Al Qassimi, Fatima Al Tunaiji and Jamila Al Mansoor who have gone on to accomplish even greater things.
Focussing on Emirati women’s overall development, Dubai Ladies Club has consistently promoted Emirati talents through a number of educational and career-oriented professional programmes to open avenues for women to channelize their strengths and contribute effectively to the social and economic progress of the UAE.
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