This Palestinian Designer Has Won The DDFCVogue Fashion Prize

The Fashion Prize was launched by Vogue Arabia and the Dubai Design & Fashion Council (DDFC) to celebrate emerging design talent, and is the first of it’s kind in the Middle East region. We spotlight one of this year’s winners, Reema Al Banna.

Palestinian born, and UAE-based, designer Reema Al Banna first cut her metaphorical and literal stripes as a graphic designer. Having honed her vision, she moved on to study fashion design at university in Dubai where she launched her brand Reemami.

Her aesthetic is distinctive and accolades are numerous, having been recognised by leading industry figures and publications in the Middle East, such as Stylist and Grazia. This latest award sees Reema Al Banna team up with Farfetch to produce an exclusive collection.

To find inspiration, Al Banna looked to the outdoors, and, in particular, her love of climbing. Designs welcome a sprawling universe of mountains, and stars, while signature details such as eyelets, knots and detachable layers are redolent of an undulating natural landscape.

As a winner of the 2016 DDFC/ Vogue Arabia Fashion Prize, Reema Al Banna will receive financial and logistical support, enabling her to take her brand forward. The celebration of talent in the region comes at an exciting time for fashion in the Middle East. The launch of Vogue Arabia has sparked fresh interest from an international audience, while partnerships with the likes of Farfetch help to ensure that designers reach global consumers.

The new collection is available to buy online at Farfetch now, and will be sold at Browns in London, Curve Boutique in the USA and Al Ostoura in Kuwait.

About the author

India Doyle

A contributor to titles including Vogue, the Guardian, KEIN, Rollacoaster, Wonderland and Twin magazine, India Doyle joined Culture Trip to help launch their fashion section for the EMEA region, where she focussed on giving emerging designers across the globe a platform to reach international audiences. Now based between London and Greece, she is one of Culture Trip's Greek contributors and covers cultural life in Athens.