Modest fashion is what we’re all about here in the Middle East with wrist-length sleeves, high necklines and longer hemlines making up our glam Emirati fashion. Everyone is embracing the movement these days with longline shapes, and creative layering. Think you could make an impact in this expanding industry? Project Modest just might be the right fit.

Follow in the footsteps of fashion icons like Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent who coincidentally began their careers by entering and winning a design competition. If they could do it back then in the 1950s, you could definetly do it now, in 2018: the year of innovation!

Project Modest is the region’s first modest-wear design competition and they’re searching for the brightest young fashion talent out there. The winner will have their design come to life with locally sourced fabrics and will be featured in the Grazia Pop-Up shop at Modest Fashion Weekend in Yas Mall, this October. In addition, they’ll be offered both a two-week internship at Grazia Middle East and a mentorship lunch with designer and entrepreneur, Sara Al Madani.

To be in the running, you’ll need to submit a sketch of your original modest-wear design on the GraziaME website, along with a 150-word brief describing the palette, fabrics used, your inspiration and how it must be styled. 

Winners will be determined by a panel of four expert judges; including Editor in Chief of Grazia Middle East, Alison Tay, Digital Editor of Grazia Middle East, Olivia Phillips, Sara Al Madani, and the General Manager of luxury department stores Tryano and Saks Fifth Avenue, Sharmila Murat.

The judges are looking for innovative, forward-thinkers who are creative within the limited boundaries of this competition. Modesty and modernism is what the judges are after, and they’re eager to see how these concepts will be incorporated into the design.

The last day for entering this competition is the 30th of August, so make sure to  submit your work on time. The winner will be announced on the 7th of September 2018. 

Cosmo wishes you the very best of luck on your fashion journey ahead!