Reem Acra

Internationally acclaimed Lebanese designer Reem Acra will be the chief mentor on an Arabic version of the American reality show, Fashion Star, which will premiere on Dubai One on Feb. 3.

The show will see 12 aspiring designers from across the Arab world battle it out for a fashion contract worth Dh500,000, reported Gulf News.

“There are a lot of singing competition reality shows in the Arab world and none for fashion, so we wanted to introduce this and see how it goes,” said Sarah Al-Jarman, the general manager of Dubai One.

The American version of the show, with Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos as judges, was canceled in 2013 after two seasons.

In the Arabic version, Acra will be joined by international fashion model Hanaa Ben Abdesslem and Ramzi Tabiat, the creative director for retail brand Al Ostoura. The three mentors will put the contestants through their paces as one is eliminated each week. The eventual winner will then be given an opportunity to create a capsule collection for online retailer namshi.com.

The choice of Acra as chief mentor was a no-brainer, adds Al-Jarman.

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