FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Runway Dubai empowers women in partnership with tennis champion Venus Williams
Leading fashion and media event, Runway Dubai, took place on the 8th- 10th November this year and was aimed at inspiring women worldwide to be the best they can be, with the help of international tennis superstar Venus Williams.
Runway Dubai Season IV was a huge hit in the Middle East, with an impressive lineup of unique designers and models showcasing what they had to offer. Alongside their designer lineup and model superstars, a unique addition to this year's Runway Dubai was their partnership with former world number one tennis star, Venus Williams. The partnership, taglined ‘Keep Fit, Stay Confident', was aimed at empowering women and giving them the ability to embrace their inner confidence, whilst also raising awareness about diabetes - one of the leading causes of death in the Middle East. The partnership is ongoing and has seen a huge response from social users on Runway Dubai's Instagram platform - using the hashtag #KeepFitStayConfident.
Venus Williams made her appearance at the Runway Dubai show via Skype to congratulate the top 10 models that she, and a team of judges, chose as winners for the chance to star on the runway. The overall winner of the Venus Williams model contest was Winnie Carine, a model from Cameroun.
Madeline Stuart, the world's first professional runway model with Down's Syndrome and now international superstar, opened the Runway Dubai show and walked the runway for Ikramini, Venus Williams and Norish Kareem, three of the show's top designers.
Modupe Omonze, founder of Runway Dubai said, "We were really excited about this event, and we are thrilled to say that it was extremely successful. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who were involved in this year's show, and I am especially thankful to the partnership we created with Venus Williams. In a bid to help women in the region to stay fit and confident highlighting the common health issues Women face in the region. Williams, who has battled Sjögren's syndrome; an autoimmune disease, worked with us at Runway Dubai to spread her message of strength and hope to those who may not have the support that she received in her time of need. Our partnership with Venus Williams will not end with the #KeepFitStayConfident campaign, and we look forward to a fruitful, ongoing relationship with her."
After Madeline Stuart opened the show, Ukranian designers Olga Vasileva and Roksolana Bogutska showcased their country's culture through their designs. Students from Gift University, Pakistan, saw their unique collections of re-cycled handbag wearables brought to life, alongside their 20-foot wedding dress design on the runway. Spanish fashion designer Iban Salgado, displayed his extravagant collection via the art of Ballroom dancing. Salgado's showcase was sponsored by the Art Dance Agency in Dubai.
The founders of Runway Dubai believe that fashion events should not just be about glitz and glam, they should be about empowering people through fashion - this ideology is what spurred the team on to choosing such a wide range of models and designers to debut at this year's show. Now in its fourth season, the event attracted audiences from all over the world including talented artists and fashion lovers who were looking to identify with a brand that stands for a worthy cause.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Madeline Stuart, the world's first catwalk model with Down's Syndrome, strutted her stuff at this year's Runway Dubai. 18-year-old Stuart's goal is to erase the stigma and discrimination associated with her disability and prove that anyone can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work at them. Stuart's 17-month-old modeling career has already seen her walk the catwalk during New York fashion week twice.
Apeksha Binoj, is an 11-year-old Indian professional designer who was also featured at this year's event. Binoj started her designing career in 2012 at aged seven and holds the record for the Youngest Fashion Designer in India 2016. Her collection includes eveningwear, gowns, formal and casual wear and she holds several national awards for her unique designs.
Haitian designer Madam Josette Bayoro's Joppa Couture was also on display at this year's show. Unlike Binoj who started at seven, Josette Bayoro, a former model in Paris and New York kicked off her career in high fashion designing at the age of 70. As an author, actress and former radio presenter, Bayoro works hard to help her native country of Haiti by teaching young people how to be self-sufficient and resilient in the face of poverty and natural disasters. Josette plans to wow guests at her very first show in the Middle East.
For more information, quotes, details or more, please contact Matthew Flint:
Email: matt@yogurttopmarketing.co.uk
Tel: 01543 439 239