A contest to show off your UAE national pride – in style

Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane

If you’re an aspiring fashion designer, a UAE resident and under 35 years of age, then The Style Chamber wants to hear from you.

The Abu Dhabi-based e-tailer has launched a stylish competition and wants people with a penchant for drawing to submit images of two T-shirts and one scarf that reflect the theme of being “Interconnected”. The capsule collections will be uploaded and made available to view on Facebook and Twitter so the public can vote for the best designs.

Submissions and voting will start tomorrow and close on UAE National Day – December 2. The 10 most popular designs will be announced two days later, then it’s over to The Style Chamber’s creative team to cast the deciding vote.

The final winner will be revealed on December 22.

“We hope the contestants will dig deep and surprise us with their creativity,” says Maryam Al Hamly, the co-owner of The Style Chamber. “There are no constraints. However, they must keep in mind that they have to be affordable to customers should they go into production.”

Tees aside, it’s the scarves that Hamly believes could most inspire budding designers.

“I feel that scarves in the UAE’s colours are increasing in popularity – much the same way you see the British flag printed on leather bags and shoes and the American flag on T-shirts and watch faces,” she says. “An iconic print such as the Emirati flag is a celebration of heritage, where you can wear your heart on your sleeve.”

Should the winner’s submissions be deemed outstanding, The Style Chamber has plans to make 3-D versions of the sketches.

“We will finance the manufacturing and marketing of these designs and they’ll be sold through The Style Chamber in its 2015 collection,” says Al Hamly. “We will strive to keep production within the UAE and split profits between the designer and The Style Chamber.”

And just in case you needed an incentive to log on and cast your vote, those who do so will be entered into a draw to win an online shopping spree at The Style Chamber worth Dh5,000.

• Visit www.thestylechamber.com for more details

rmcduane@thenational.ae