The Fashion Trust Arabia is back for its sixth edition of the FTA competition for 2024.

Unveiling the 18 finalists across seven different countries for its 2024 awards, the prestigious event is set to take place in Marrakech in October.

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser alongside co-chairs Her Excellency Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani and Tania Fares, the esteemed organisation continues to bring the best in regional fashion to the forefront, offering offers invaluable mentorship and access to industry experts.

Prizes for the Fashion Trust Arabia Award winners range from $100,000 to $200,000, as well as a year-long mentorship with The Bicester Collection, among others.

Set to be a night celebrating talent and regional craftsmanship, the seven winners across the different categories—ready-to-wear, eveningwear, jewellery, accessories, fashion tech, the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award and the Guest Country Designer Award— will be unveiled on October 24, 2024 in Marrakech.

Ahead of the celebratory occasion, GRAZIA brings you a closer look at the 18 finalists.

Eveningwear

Hamza Glamouss and Valentin Nicot

Existing in tandem with poetic artistry and contemporary craftsmanship, these Moroccan designers are the rising names behind the avant-garde, dark and seductive evening wear brand KHOL. With a largely muted black and white colour scheme, this label allows the feminine silhouette a sense of mystery.

Tara Babylon

   

Always fusing different realms to create a lane of their own, the FTA finalists know how to blend and innovate like no other. And Iraqi designer Tara Babylon does just that through her eveningwear brand.

Yasmin Mansour

 

If sophisticated boldness is where you feel most at home, this GCC-born eponymous brand provides that avenue with ample inspiration. From exaggerated shoulders to multilayered skirts, Yasmin Mansour creates with intention and play.

Ready-To-Wear

Kawthar Alhoraish

Climbing to yet another milestone, chances are it isn’t the first time you have heard of the flamboyantly sleek Kaf By Kaf. From Riyadh Fashion Week to A-list celeb approval, this Saudi brand has been a long-time leader in print and pattern-heavy expressive pieces.

Nadine Mosallam

Reimagining what softness and femininity can extend into is Cairo and London-based Nadine Mos. Founded in 2020, the toned back label creates anything from mesh intricately stitching tank tops to off-the-shoulder asymmetrical midi dresses.

Naïma Alissa Trabelsi

Working with the likes of Acne Studios and the Olympics it’s safe to say this designer has immaculate background in craftsmanship and creative direction formation. Melding Western silhouettes with Eastern customs, this Tunisian brand offers straightforward style with touches of vibrancy.

Accessories

Dara Hamameh

Launching her self-titled brand at 23, in 2019, Palestinian designer  Dara Hammah has forged a new path for slightly peculiar but undeniably chic accessories. Pulling from ’90s sleek minimalism and ’60s space century ideologies, we are left with Dalmatian print clutches, tubular minis, and Bauhaus-esq shoulders.

Jihane Boumediane

Indulging in texture and colour gradient, this consciously made brand has also made it to the FTA finalists arena. Centring sustainable practices, from water usage to material sourcing, jYAN offers effervescent cloud-like textured purses in a range of hues, patterns and silhouettes.

Reem Hamed

 

Swinging to footwear, the Egyptian-born and raised founder launched RAMLA in 2017 to platform the often-overlooked artisanal craftswomen of her heritage. From Harvey Nichols to Level Shoes, while this intricate brand has climbed many heights, its leather and knitwear have no intention of slowing its upward trajectory.

Jewellery

Karl Toufic Yazigi

Founded in 20202, this Lebanese jewellery brand focuses on heritage and legacy, while pioneering the intangible flair of the Middle Eastern woman.

Noura Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sara Naif Al Saud and Mashael Khalid Al Saud

    

Centring nature, in all its volume, texture and complexities, this Saudi-born brand was founded by three creatives in 2022. APOA, which stands for A Piece Of Art, acts as a love letter to the GCC designer’s home, in all its multifaceted existence.

Noura Alserkal

  

Never going overlooked, our beloved nation had to undoubtedly hold a spot among the FTA finalists, and doing so this year is the Turabi founder Noura Alserkal. Her notable Water collection symbolises the idea of movement and shapes to form eye-catching elegance in bejewelled forms.

Debut Talent

Mahmood Al Safi

Offering a unique twist, Mahmood Al Safi, brings the world of karaoke, in all its unconstrained fun, to his imaginative creations and designs.

Mira Maktabi

   

The Lebanese Central Saint Martins graduate Mira is a womenswear designer who creates capricious dream-like pieces. Radiating untouchable elegance, each drape and cinch releases a sense of whimsical femininity.

Sylwia Nazzal

Rooted in activism, Nazzal Studio is a Palestinian brand that centres the designer’s cultural DNA for unyielding resistance. Recently, Sylwia’s “What Should Have Been Home” collection has been amplified to international stardom for its bold reclamation.

Fashion Tech Awards

Batoul al-Rahdan

Where traditional custom meets cutting-edge technology, resides Batoul Alrashdan founded Studio B.O.R. From sustainability awards to showcasing at the Met Gala, it’s safe to say this innovative Jordanian creative needs to be on our radar.

Hazem Samy

Embodying the New Ways of Making Things method in its entirety, Eärtha by Haz Sam offers phygital products. Combining the real world with the digital, it prioritises sustainability and craftsmanship.

Sarah Salameh

Where 3D printing meets Palestinian heritage, Sarah chooses to utilise technological advances to centre her heritage and costumes. From keffiyehs to knitwear, she leverages specialised devices to amplify her DNA.

Guest Country

ACROMATYX

    

Black on black on black, with specs of white, ACROMTAYX is as cool and unapproachable as it sounds. With exaggerated outerwear and sheer blouse sets, this sleek brand was birthed in Madrid.

Ernesto Naranjo

    

Leaning into the loud and playful without being overtly maximalist, Ernestos’s pieces refuse to be constrained to any label or expectation. This Made-To-Order brand was founded by another CSM graduate from the South of Spain.

Juan Vidal

 

“Sometimes elegance goes unnoticed, but with a touch of extravagance magic happens.” Words that embody the brand seamlessly, this designer recentres women in womenswear through every stitch, cut and silhouette.