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Fierce

FashionTheTwelfThediTionof

VirginiaCommonwealTh UniVersiTyQaTars (VCUQ)popUlarannUalfashionshowdazzleddohasdisCerningdwellers

wiThrangesfromTalenTedsTUdenTsandgUesTperformers.

ne of the most highly anticipated events of the year, VCUQs

Annual Fashion show, didnt disappoint the eager crowd

who packed into the universitys bustling atrium. Aptly

called Portfolio, it showcased the eleven fashion design

seniors nal and fabulous collections featuring a fusion

of traditional, handcrafted, modern, eclectic, architectural

and glamorous components. Notable guest was Miss South

Africa 2008 Tatum Keshwar who donned the creations and

walked the ramp.

The schedule also packed in an appetising display from the

sophomores who focused on a cute childrens collection

inspired by Moroccan style, Japanese origami, butteries and surface design

embellishment. Attendees were also treated to a show stopping illustration

from South African guest designer Bongiwe Walazas African inspired

collection.

The Golden Needle Awards were presented at the end of the show to

fashion design students Dana Masoud for Most Outstanding Childrens

Wear; Yang Soon Ju for Most Outstanding Junior Collection; Esra Sharab

for Most Outstanding Senior; Dana Ahmad for Most Outstanding Double

Major; Hissa Zainal for Best Senior Collection and Selina Farooqui for Special

Recognition for Outstanding Fashion Student. The show also acknowledged

the contributions of Amwaj Textiles who were presented with the Friends of

Fashion award, given annually to individuals or organisations who have made

signicant contributions to VCUQs department of Fashion Design.

Style Savvy:The budding fashion designers at the annual VCUQ fashion show.

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GLaM vcuq Fashion

Bongiwe Walaza (Guest Designer)

This collection is a usion, Arica meets the world, reveals Walaza. Many o thegarments were inspired by her childhood experiences o Arica, a diverse country with

dierent traditions. The pieces are about the theme Portolio and not in any necessary

arrangement, but put together rom dierent collections.

Bekita Muwangua

My collection is called Treasure Box its a subtle,

elegant, eminine and very wearable collection. My avourite

colours are beige and peach, so I use them a lot. Most o thesilhouettes have pleats, gathers and are very loose. I eature

an abhaya; as a hal Arab, hal Namibian I think I rst need to

understand what I wear beore I create other kinds o clothes.

Ahmed El-Sayed

My collection is called The Nomads modern age tribes

returning back home rom the luxuries o Europe, with the

aim o paying homage to the region and the desert. Thereare a lot o harem pants, ur and jewels; or men the pants

have high-waisted belts and long cardigans.

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Vanja Smitran

My collection is inspired by the Edwardian era and

street-style contemporary. I am inspired by the period

movie Picnic at Hanging Rock set in the Edwardian

era in Australia. It has a lot o great shots o the desert,

country and blue skies. I am dyeing silk to make it look

like the skies (shows me a silk swatch that looks like

lovely blue cloudy skies!)

Carla MallariI take my inspiration oten rom art I love art. I

started out as an artist and saw ashion as a orm o art.My collection is kind o wearable art. I have taken my

paintings and laminated them onto the garments. I amusing unconventional abrics that I have made mysel outo sack! Unortunately there arent too many designers

here; otherwise I would be wearing their work. I really wantto create wearable art.

Dana Elhaj AhmadI like to design both Ready-to-Wear and Haute Couture

gowns. My aesthetic is basically eminine mixed witha grungy rock eel. Suspenders inspire my collection

and I am taking it away rom casual wear and mixing itwith haute couture pieces, nightgowns and dresses. Thecolour story is Royal Blue, mixed with Champagne and

the edginess o Black. The collection eatures a lot o tulleskirts... volume...embroidery and sequins.

Esra SharabMy collection is inspired by the beautiul ethnic patterns

and shapes rom the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.I saw these really beautiul carved wooden blocks

there and have done a similar pattern placement or thegarments. They have a simple silhouette, complementingthe body; refecting my take on placing prints in dierent

parts o the garment.

Hissa Ismail ZainalMy collection, The Show, is a unky, colourul and verywearable range inspired by the circus. It eatures a lot ostripes and polka dots with blocks o colour to break thepattern. It is my rst time to do a colourul collection. Ilove black and white so I combined the black & white

patterns with blocks o colour.

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GLaM vcuq Fashion

Khaltham Daham Al-KuwariMy senior collection is based on HH Sheikha Moza her wardrobe or

her diplomatic visit to the Asian countries. The range is conservative, notshowing too much skin, not too tted or too tight, based on our Islamictradition, but at the same time very trendy and chic which is what I think

sums up Sheikha Mozas style.

Modawi Mohammed Al AnsariMy senior collection is more about evening gowns and wedding

gowns... most o my abrics are laces. Its or a specic category ogirls between 20 - 35, very tted and gure fattering (not revealing),

or curvy and conservative women.

Reem AlhajriMy collection is called Walk on Water. Its a deant,rebellious with edge and looks utilitarian, but actually itisnt. My muse is a warrior o lie the kind o personwho aces challenges and obstacles and I have tried to

incorporate that struggle into the collection. The physicalinspiration is the sea, which is calm sometimes, and

raging at other times. I am using blue and gradients ocream, to resemble the sea.

Selina Farooqui

My collection is inspired by the transormation rom winterto spring. The colours start o in the pastels range and as the

collection continues, the shades get deeper and richer, likefowers coming into bloom. The silhouette has a bit o volume

around the body, making it easy to wear, but with the waistdened with handmade belts. It eatures luxurious Frenchbrocades, creamy chions, handmade pleats, silk fowers,

opaque crystal and matte sequin embellishment.