Three winners of the ninth Swarovski Young Designers Awards were declared last night on the final day of The Bride Show Dubai, for the student, amateur and innovation categories.
Helen O'Connor walked away with first place in the amateur category for her wedding dress featuring broad crystal encrusted shoulders with unique decorative branches. Helen, a South African who lives in Dubai, beat off the competition from nine other contestants, all of whom reside in the UAE, but hail from around the world, from Sudan to Sri Lanka.
The student finalists waited in anticipation as Ayesha Chaudhary was called to the front for her cream backless gown, with translucent gauze covering the midriff. Studying at the Centre for Executive Education (CEE), Ayesha was shortlisted from 10 finalists from five fashion institutes in Dubai.
Finally, Joseph Lalongisip from the Philippines took to the stage at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre when he was announced the winner in the innovation category, judged solely from all contestants' innovative use of Swarovski crystals. His intricately made wedding dress featured over 1,000 Swarovski crystals and included a chiffon parasol as a modern day veil.
“This is overwhelming, I still can't believe it,” said Joseph after he received the award, which includes a year long internship at Swarovski Middle East. “I came to Dubai to pursue my dream, and winning here at The Bride Show Dubai is my big chance to become a fashion designer.”