Emirati fashion designer wins Fashion Designer of the Year

Press release

Published May 25th, 2011 - 08:31 GMT

Larissa Kuzmina, Marketing Manager of Mauzan, receiving L’Officiel Middle East Arab Woman of the Year Award 2011

Rafia Helal Bin Drai, the founder and fashion designer of luxury Abaya fashion-house Mauzan, has been named designer of the year at the L’Officiel Middle East Arab Woman of the Year Awards.

L’Officiel Middle East, the region’s leading luxury fashion magazine for Arab women, presented the 2011 Arab Woman of the Year Awards to pay tribute to inspirational Arab women in Abu Dhabi at the glamorous Fairmont Bab Al Bahr on the evening of Wednesday 18th May.

The prestigious event celebrates the achievements of remarkable women who have excelled in the fashion, arts, business and charity fields and pays homage to their valued contributions to the community.

Rafia’s journey started with a single piece that she designed at home, assisted by her private tailor. This was the first step in a revolution in Abaya design, replacing the traditional design with a modern one that suits women from all nationalities.

Rafia’s work has always been true to her slogan: "My inspiration for designing Abayas is always the woman who wears it."

Rafia is a multi-talented designer. After her Abaya and perfume lines, she is now working on innovative designs for the Emirati Arabic dress, adding yet another touch in the world of traditional design in the Gulf region. She continues to use classical cuts, but also adds innovative ones, ensuring a unique character to every design and range.

Background Information

Mauzan

Crafted from the vivid dreams of its inspiring Founder and Designer, Rafia Helal Bin Drai, Mauzan was born in 1990 in the United Arab Emirates. The Mauzan fashion creations speak to women and celebrate the Abaya and Sheila as powerful expressions of a woman’s individuality. The contemporary custom-made designs display a graceful femininity and comfort that empower the woman with inner confidence.