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Hind Matar’s clever use of fabrics has secured her a nomination for a prestigious accolade at an event set up to celebrate emerging talents from around the world.
The founder of contemporary womenswear brand MATAR was recently named as one of the 65 global contenders for the Woolmark Prize for her innovative design skills.
The International Woolmark Prize celebrates outstanding global fashion talent and aims to showcase the beauty and versatility of Australian Merino wool.
Hind, 37, from Nabih Saleh, currently lives between Bahrain and New York and was nominated for the award by the Dubai Design Fashion Council (DDFC).
“I’m honoured and humbled to be considered amongst the most talented emerging designers in the world and grateful to the DDFC for its continued support in my career,” the former Bahrain School student said.
“The Woolmark Prize is such an amazing opportunity and I am so grateful to be given this global platform to be a female voice of innovation for Bahrain.”
First held in 1953 as an initiative of the International Wool Secretariat, the award was won the following year by iconic fashion designers Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.
Today, the prize, which highlights rising stars from more than 60 countries, continues to recognise design excellence using wool.
Hind’s parents Fatima, who manages an environmental consultancy firm, and Ali, who works in real estate, are delighted. Her sisters Hayfa, is a diplomat working at the United Nations and Hala, is a film director based in the US city of Los Angeles. And, brother, Ahmed, is a mathematician … which all adds up to a successful family.
Hind said: “They have always been extremely supportive and are very excited and proud about my nomination.”
Hind described wool as a natural renewable soft material, wrinkle and stain resistant, breathable and with a natural elasticity. This makes it ‘a superb textile to work with’.
The coming competition’s regional awards will be staged in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, British Isles, Europe, India, Pakistan, the Middle East and the US.
Each regional winner will be ‘financially rewarded’ and given an opportunity to compete in the global finals, traditionally held during key fashion weeks across the world.
As well as financial rewards they will be given the chance to have their Merino Wool Capsule Collection promoted and sold in top boutiques and stores through the International Woolmark Prize’s extensive retail partner network.
The 65 global nominees will complete their submission pieces ahead of the regional finals in Dubai, London, Milan, New York, Seoul and Sydney throughout July.
Hind, who graduated from the US University of Virginia in economics and philosophy and even dabbled in advertising before carving a career in the fashion industry, said: “Today’s designers combine many talents as they come from different parts of the world and I look forward to weaving my own experiences and sense of heritage with a contemporary spin.
“There is an authenticity to my innate sense of style and my need to integrate history and philosophy of what inspires me each season on a cerebral platform,” she said.
MATAR, which Hind describes as ‘timeless style’ rich with dynamic textures and artisanal details, is based in Bahrain and has offices in the UK and New York City.
Hind launched her first ready-to-wear collection in 2014 during London Fashion Week and since then has presented three collections at the Designer Showrooms in Somerset House during London Fashion Week. She received the International Design Award in 2015 which celebrates the leading womenswear fashion designers from the Middle East and also represented the kingdom at Expo Milano 2015, a world-class fair staged in Italy, by designing a special collection for the Bahrain Pavilion.
Organisers of The International Woolmark Prize believe that by putting the competition in the hands of the world’s leading innovators, the challenge will inspire them to ‘achieve greatness’ in keeping with The Woolmark Company’s tradition of supporting design excellence.
