F.A.M.E Launches the UAE’s Biggest Fully-Inclusive Fashion Show
Young people with special educational needs will walk the catwalk wearing collections from 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, 25th 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 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 20th-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.
