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All eyes are on Marrakech, Morocco for the sixth edition of Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) 2024.
There’s no shortage of Arab talent making waves in the world of fashion. As such with the FTA taking the helm to cultivate and nurture young designers, a distinguished list of panellists is at the forefront of choosing the next generation.
An event like no other to lift up and celebrate regional artistry, a myriad of the industry’s top designers will appoint seven winners across different categories. Namely, ready-to-wear, evening-wear, jewellery, accessories, the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award, the Guest Country Designer Award, and the newest category, fashion tech.
With that said, the panellists, famed names and creative directors behind iconic brands, are set to take the stage in Morocco on October 24, 2024.
Bringing you in the know, GRAZIA shares a close glimpse behind the who’s who gracing Fashion Trust Arabia 2024.
Zuhair Murad
Lebanese haute couture designer, Zuhair Murad, joins this year’s list of phenomenal designer judges for the fourth time in a row. Famed for his exquisite craftsmanship and embroidery work, the Lebanese designer has dressed the industry’s most influential elites — Jennifer Lopez, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sofia Vergara, Celine Dion and Rita Ora.
Olivier Rousteing
Olivier Rousteing, the creative director behind Balmain for over the last 10 years, will judge this year’s sixth edition of Fashion Trust Arabia. Known for his mastery of the New French Style coined by Pierre Balmain, he artfully emulates the brand’s codes of distinctive boldness, yet a fresh and feminised haute couture.
Laurie stark
With a business acumen like no other and a design fervour unmatched, the President and co-owner of Chrome Hearts, Laurie Stark, joins the notable list of judges. Signifying her first FTA, the designer, famed for her feminine take on the brands usual gothic themes, will bring her prowess to Marrakech.
Aya nakamura
Another of firsts, French singer Aya Nakamura acclaimed for her top-charting albums, has stepped into the world of fashion as a judge for FTA 2024. She is also Lancôme’s international beauty muse and a singer who received numerous awards for her viral hits.
HE Rachid Mohamed Rachid
Rachid Mohamed Rachid is a renowned entrepreneur and investor in the field of luxury. He founded the Swiss-based firm, Alsara Investment Group which places an emphasis on the creative industry across Europe, the US, and of course, the Middle East.
Franceso Risso
Francesco Risso is the creative director of Marni. Since taking charge of Marni in 2016, the Italian designer has ushered the brand into a new era of design excellence. Particularly for his adept skills in blending the brands eccentric codes merged with his own design aesthetic.
Charles Rosier
An acclaimed investor and entrepreneur in the field of beauty known for launching Augustinus Bader skincare, Charles Rosier, is a man of many talents. From being a certified medical specialist, a collegiate professor and even a scientist, Charles, brings to the table a diversified perspective to the FTA.
Remo Ruffini
Attracting more international business moguls to the FTA is none other than Remo Ruffini, the CEO of Moncler. Building his billion dollar fashion empire, Remo is a mind that innovates and creates. Much like his passion to disrupt the status quo, he founded Moncler Genius, a pioneering narrative of co-creation.
Arnaud Vaillant & Sebastian Meyer
Coperni was born in 2013, the brainchild of Sébastien Meyer, who handles creative direction, and Arnaud Vaillant, the CEO. Their paths crossed at a Parisian fashion school a decade ago, with Sébastien studying Fashion Design and Arnaud focused on Fashion Business. Having diverted into separate experiences after the launch of Coperni (stints at Balenciaga, Chanel, and Courrèges) the two revived Coperni in 2018, making it their signature brand.
Giambattista valli
Giambattista Valli launched his namesake brand in 2005 after honing his craft at Fendi and Emanuel Ungaro. Known for his couture creations and high-glamour designs, and dressing stars like Amal Clooney and Ariana Grande. Valli’s signature style blends timeless luxury with a modern, effortless appeal.
Wayman and Micah
Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald, the dynamic LA-based styling duo, have been turning heads with their bold, personality-driven fashion since teaming up in 2013. With backgrounds at Conde Nast, Marc Jacobs, and Alice + Olivia, they’ve become go-to stylists for Hollywood A-listers like Colman Domingo and Tessa Thompson.
Amina Muaddi
Amina Muaddi, founder of her eponymous luxury accessories brand is known for her iconic pyramid heels and sculptural designs. Muaddi’s Italian-made brand has reached cult status, thanks to its blend of craftsmanship and bold innovation. Born to a Jordanian father and Romanian mother, Muaddi’s global perspective has made her a standout in the fashion world – and dutifully so impacting the Arab world at the same time.
Guram Gvalsia
Guram Gvasalia, the Georgian-born, German-raised Creative Director of VETEMENTS, has been redefining luxury fashion since co-founding the brand with his brother Demna in 2014. Guram’s vision, rooted in social commentary, has made the label a leader in contemporary fashion. Beyond aesthetics, he champions creativity and inclusivity, inspiring a new generation of designers to push the boundaries of art, culture, and fashion.
Bethann Hardison
Bethann Hardison, an iconic model and trailblazing advocate, has championed diversity for over five decades. From founding her agency to launching the Black Girls Coalition and Diversity Coalition, she sparked industry-wide change. Her efforts earned her the CFDA Founder’s Award in 2014, and she now serves as Gucci’s Executive Advisor for Global Equity and Cultural Engagement.
IB Kamara
IB Kamara, Creative Director of Off-White and Editor-in-Chief of Dazed, is a British multi-hyphenate known for redefining African menswear and masculinity. His work spanned between brands like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, and he founded his consultancy, ‘Raw Materials,’ in 2022. Kamara continues to honour the legacy of Virgil Abloh at Off-White.
Ben Gorham
Ben Gorham, born in Sweden to an Indian mother and Canadian father, grew up in Toronto, New York, and Stockholm. After graduating in fine arts, he transitioned to fragrance with the guidance of perfumers Olivia Giacobetti and Jerome Epinette. Known for his unique style, Gorham has been featured in international magazines like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Fantastic Man.
Han Chong
Han Chong is a Malaysian-born designer and Central Saint Martins graduate, who founded Self-Portrait in 2013. Known for his refined aesthetic and mastery of structure, the brand has gained global acclaim.
Gilda Ambrosio & Giorgia Tordini
The Attico, founded in 2016 by Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini, blends their distinct creative visions to offer bold, expressive fashion for women. The brand has gained global recognition among style icons and celebrities, with a presence in over 200 top retailers.
Ruba Abu-Nimah
Ruba Abu-Nimah is an award-winning Creative Director currently leading Moncler’s brand vision. She has held key roles, including Executive Creative Director at Tiffany & Co. and Global Creative Director at Revlon and Shiseido. Ruba was also ELLE’s first female Creative Director in its 75-year history and has contributed to publications like i-D and GQ Middle East.
Yoon Ahn
YOON, a Korean-American based in Tokyo, co-founded AMBUSH in 2008 with VERBAL, blending pop art and Tokyo aesthetics into bold jewelry and unisex fashion. Her brand’s iconic POW! motif gained global recognition, leading to collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Dior, Nike, and more. In 2023, she was appointed Nike’s Global Women’s Curator, further solidifying her impact on the global fashion industry.
What is Fashion Trust Arabia?
Fashion Trust Arabia, a non-profit organisation identifies, supports and fosters gifted designers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It also brings attention to the region’s fashion industry.
Under the patronage of Honorary Chair HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, FTA was established in 2018 by co-founder Tania Fares and co-chair HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The FTA Advisory Board chooses 20 designers as its finalists, who will compete for one of the seven FTA Awards at the annual awards ceremony. In addition to this, the FTA welcomes applications from up-and-coming designers in the MENA region.
Every year, a financial grant ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, contingent on the size of the winning designer’s company, is awarded to the winners of the ready-to-wear, evening-wear, jewellery, and accessories categories.
Adding to the benefits, ready-to-wear, jewellery, and accessories will also be awarded a one-year mentorship by MATCHES and shoulder the brand’s first season.
While Huntsman Savile Row will offer an exclusive internship in London, where the ready-to-wear winner design a capsule collection and sold in the platform.
