The Institut du Monde Arabe opens its call for applications
A veritable cultural and social bridge between France and the twenty-two countries of the Arab League, theInstitut du Monde Arabe (IMA) confirms its role as a trendsetter. By launching the second edition of its Arab World Fashion Prize, the Parisian institution is providing an invaluable international showcase for a new breed of designers determined to shake up the codes of contemporary style and luxury.
This free prize is open to designers and stylists over the age of 18, from or resident in one of the countries of the Arab League (including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt, Djibouti, Somalia and the Comoros) and their diasporas around the world.
Four categories to celebrate the plurality of talent
To best reflect the diversity of the creative industries, the IMA structures its awards around four distinct categories, designed to value both artistic vision and commercial viability:
1. Emerging Talent
This prize is awarded to a designer at the very beginning of his or her career. The IMA is looking for a singular universe, strong development potential and a promising, forward-looking vision for the future of fashion.
2. Talent Entrepreneurship Creative
This category honors a profile that has successfully developed a brand or project combining creative strength and strategic rigor. The winner will stand out for his or her ability to structure his or her business, innovate and make a lasting impact in his or her market.
3. Talent Creative Excellence and Know-How
This prize honors high technical standards, perfect mastery of cuts and materials, and the valorization of local craft traditions, reinterpreted with an absolute demand for modernity.
4. Talent Accessory
Dedicated specifically to accessory designers and brands (jewelry, leather goods, footwear, etc.), this award recognizes work that is remarkable for its design, manufacturing quality and assertive visual identity.
Exceptional endowments to accelerate your brand
In addition to institutional recognition, the winners will benefit from major levers to propel their careers on an international scale:
- An official Arab World Fashion Award trophy.
- An exhibition or a fashion show at the prestigious Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.
- Several days of intensive training in Paris at one of our partner fashion schools.
- Increased media visibility with a profile in one of the event’s official media partners.
- A 6-month mentorship for the “Emerging Talent”: the prestigious PR agency DLX (which works with iconic brands such as Loewe, Rimowa, Tory Burch and Birkenstock) will provide personalized strategic support to structure the winner’s communication, storytelling and digital image.
The 2026 calendar
To join this exceptional adventure, candidates must follow a rigorous schedule:
- June 1, 2026: Application deadline.
- June 22, 2026: Meeting of the selection committee (which will choose between 5 and 10 finalists per category).
- End of June 2026: Official announcement of finalists.
- Autumn (September or October 2026): Official awards ceremony in Paris, in the middle of Fashion Week.
How to apply?
The application must be written in French or English and sent in PDF format or ZIP archive to the official e-mail address: imafashionaward@imarabe.org.
Each file must include :
- The completed official registration form.
- A detailed CV focusing solely on fashion activities.
- A narrative and visual description of the collection or accessories (moodboards, drawings, sketches, photographs).
- A project summary of no more than 5,000 characters.
- A royalty-free high-definition image of the collection for the IMA’s communication, as well as a portrait of the designer.
- The official rules and the Laureates’ Charter duly initialed and signed.
For all the builders of sovereign fashion, straddling cultural heritage and global modernity, this prize represents an invaluable opportunity to make their mark on the Paris fashion scene.
For further information and to download the full rules, visit the official Institut du Monde Arabe website: imarabe.org.
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