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Blogger Reem Mohamed BuQais put her flair for fashion and originality to the test in a design competition, winning the accolade of being voted Bahrain’s ‘top stylist’ as well as the chance to exhibit her creations in a local boutique.
The 24-year-old from Saar had returned to the island after graduating from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology with one aim, to land a job in the competitive industry she has always adored.
Driven to succeed, the fashionista who started a blog called Partner in Fashion, set out on her mission by applying for every opportunity that came along.
After a series of rejections and disappointments, Reem considered a move back to Manhattan, the uber-stylish side of New York. And, just as she started pulling out her suitcases, she received a phone call that was to change her life.
Reem said: “New York was an amazing experience. Everyone was so motivated, always striving to be the best. The style there was crazy and I loved every minute of it. When I came back to Bahrain, I held onto that energy and was ready to tackle any job.
“Despite all my attempts I couldn’t find anything here. I thought about going back to New York and then a friend contacted me and told me about a style competition offering the winner the prize of having their line produced and marketed by one of the most popular fashion houses in the kingdom.
“She asked me if I wanted to join and sent me the link. I thought sure, why not and applied for the competition.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Reem wowed a panel of judges at an event organised by bdaya communications and Green Diamond, a boutique that supports local designers, at Bice restaurant in trendy Moda Mall.
The judges were Shaikha Farah bint Khalid Al Khalifa, owner of the eclectic Green Diamond, Donya Al Mousa, a fashion marketer and blogger for Purple Bowtie, Nada Alawi, the co-owner of anada, and Tahir Maki, owner of Bice restaurant.
“I was shocked and thrilled to win especially as I went up against some great local designers,” said Reem. “Now my plans have changed again and I am putting all my energy into designing my collection!”
Shaikha Farah explained that as a local boutique businesswoman, she wants to be a part of the growing local fashion industry and to lead the way for Bahrainis to excel in the field.
She said: “There is so much talent and creativity in Bahrain and what we need is a platform for people to come together and drive the fashion industry forward.
“It is about time we started promoting our talents and positioning them to take over the regional market and even the international fashion industry.”
The 19 contestants went head-to-head, first styling models in basic black dresses with a look that can be worn from day-to-night.
Not only were they given a time limit, they were also provided with stalls scattered around the venue including make-up artists, boutiques, accessories and other fashion items for them to use during the competition.
Reem said: “I consider my style to be trendy and elegant with my signature ‘pop of colour’. For example, if I was wearing a simple black dress I would use pink lipstick and perhaps a pink bag or shoes as my pop of colour.
“So, when presented with the first stage I immediately started thinking what kind of black dress to pick, what accessories to add and what make up to use to make the outfit acceptable to wear in the daytime and during the evening.
“I didn’t really prepare much beforehand actually, but I decided to go with my simple yet stylish pop of colour. I added a cream vest with statement shoulders to the black dress and a white collar, black shoes and for my colour, I used an orange and pink envelope bag.
“I love the styling side of fashion as much as the designing part. Anyone can draw but to actually put an outfit together, that is something else.”
The second stage, created to test ingenuity, found the shortlisted group taking the same dress and adding unusual items including fish net, safety pins, scissors, fabric and rope found in a bag to create a whole new look.
The contestants were also allowed to use a former participant as an assistant. Reem teamed with Georgina Jennsen of Blonde in Bahrain for the task. She used the fabric as a belt, tying a ribbon in the back with the rope on top of it. The scissors was used like a brooch, the fish net as a necklace with the safety pins as pendants. Finally, a large flower hair clip was added to the dress as her statement jewellery.
Her fast thinking secured her the title, a BD200 cash prize and her collection to be on display in Green Diamond’s outlets in Seef Mall and Riffa. Reem will also be styling the window displays for summer and autumn.
Reem said: “I was so excited and shocked when they called my name. I didn’t know how to react as it all happened so fast.
“Having my thoughts and creations on sale at Green Diamond is amazing. Thanks to Shaikha Farah and bdaya communications my dream is coming to life. I will be more excited when it is done.
“In general, fashion designing is something you have to be motivated and passionate about. There are a lot of things that go into designing an outfit from the stitching phase, the fabric and thread you use, the fit and finishing touches. It’s a lot of hard work but I’m up for it.
“Shaikha Farah and I sat down in a brief meeting and discussed everything from what will happen and when. We are still in the planning phase.
“I’m not sure when the line will be out but it will be soon. We hope it will be complete by the first week of July with a launch, but nothing is confirmed yet.
“I will be designing a range of clothing including every-day wear, dresses, trousers, tops and skirts. If we launch before Ramadan then maybe we will throw in some Jalabiyas in the mix.
“As for my future plans, I would love to have my own store and brand. For now, I am just thankful to Shaikha Farah for getting me on the right track.”
The considerate family girl also thanked her father Mohamed, a beauty business owner, mother Dinora, a salon owner, as well as sisters Dana, 26, an interior designer, and Dalia, 22, a marketing student at the University of South Florida, for their support.
“My mum is always saying I get my style from her and you know what ... she is right!” said Reem.
