Dubai’s The Emperor 1688 wins regional Woolmark Prize

If you had any doubt about Dubai fashion labels making a mark internationally, read on. The Emperor 1688, founded by the city-based Golkar brothers, has won the regional round of the International Woolmark Prize, one of the most coveted fashion awards in the world.

The menswear label by Babak, Haman and Farhan Golkar will now go on to represent the Middle East and India in the menswear category at the international finals at London Collections: Men in January 2015. There, they will compete with other designers from Asia, Europe, Australia and the US for the main prize of Dh35,000. A separate womenswear winner will also be selected in Beijing in March 2015. Rayya Morcos from the Beirut-based Bird On A Wire, will represent the region in the womenswear category.

The two international winners in each category will have their collection sold at international retail partners including Harvey Nichols in the UK, Joyce in China, Saks Fifth Avenue in the USA, Colette in France, 10 Corso Como in Italy, My Theresa online and David Jones in Australia.

The annual prize, sponsored by the Australian wool industry, was first awarded to Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld in 1954 and is held in a different fashion capital every year.

The Emperor 1688 was among two other Dubai labels — House of Fatam and Kage — to be selected for the regional round, which also included designers from India. The three labels were nominated by Fashion Forward (FFWD), the twice-yearly fashion week-style event in Dubai, which has just been named an official nominating body for the prize.