Dubai, UAE – 14 March 2024| Continuing its longstanding tradition of nurturing talented and ambitious designers from across the region, Van Cleef & Arpels in partnership with Tashkeel has announced the open call for the landmark tenth edition of the Middle East Emergent Designer Prize with the theme, “Inspiring Winds.”

The open call goes live on 15 March, with a deadline to respond before 21 April 2024 at 10PM GST.

Symbolising strength as well as compassion, wind represents freedom and enchantment. Ranging from charming light breezes to imposing hurricanes and tornadoes, wind possesses specific resonance in desert lands, where languages and dialects have numerous terms for the myriad movements of air across both sea and sand. 

From naseem and harmattan to khamsin, sumoom and shamal, these currents of air form part of the cultural heritage of communities that are rooted as much on the waves as they are on the dunes. 

Van Cleef & Arpels and Tashkeel are inviting applicants to create a work of contemporary functional design that responds to the theme of “Inspiring Winds.” Submitted proposals should incorporate creativity and innovation in enforcing the aspect of form and function.

Winners will be announced at a major exhibition celebrating ten years of the Van Cleef & Arpels
Middle East Emergent Designer Prize later in 2024. The winning designer will receive AED 30,000 to produce her or his design during a 12-week period, with the final design piece to be showcased at a special ceremony upon completion.

Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India said:
“Van Cleef & Arpels is extremely proud to announce the landmark tenth edition of the Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East Emergent Designer Prize. The Maison’s partnership with Tashkeel has provided emerging artists in the Middle East with the essential support that designers and innovators need to become successful professionals. As one of the region’s longest running prizes, the Emergent Designer Prize has set the benchmark for nurturing design talent by shedding light on the wealth of creativity thriving across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. We look forward to receiving innovative and visionary submissions for this year’s theme of “Inspiring Winds”.

Karam Hoar, Marketing & Communications Manager at Tashkeel, said: “Since 2013, Tashkeel and Van Cleef & Arpels have organised this competition to nurture and promote emerging talent. Year after year, we see the extraordinary wealth of creativity and depth of talent at work across this region. This tenth edition will be a celebration of the success of so many of the creative professionals who have taken part, as well as an important showcase for a new emerging talent. We are delighted to partner with Van Cleef & Arpels once again to bring exciting upcoming designers to the world’s attention.” 

The Prize encourages a sustainable approach to design proposals, including the sourcing of materials locally and ethically, whether reused, recycled or recreated with a minimal carbon footprint. Submissions in the form of jewellery and/or watch design are not accepted. The call is open to all artists and designers living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, and submissions must be original and entirely the work of the applicant. 

The winner will be awarded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Paris for a 5-day trip to L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, a school dedicated to accentuating the methods behind the world of jewellery creation and watchmaking. In addition, a total of AED 30,000 will be awarded to the winner to cover the cost of materials and production of their design piece.

Applicants can find details on how to enter on Tashkeel’s website, tashkeel.org, and there will be also a bilingual presentation on the Tashkeel YouTube Channel later in March.

About Tashkeel
 
Tashkeel is a commercial consultancy with studio incubators for visual art & design rooted in the United Arab Emirates. Established in Dubai in 2008 by Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Tashkeel's facilities enable production, experimentation, and discourse. Its annual programme of training, residencies, workshops, talks, exhibitions, international collaborations, and publications aims to further practitioner development, public engagement, and lifelong learning. And its commercial services seek to embed UAE-made art and design in the very fabric of society and the economy. By nurturing the growth of contemporary art and design, Tashkeel seeks to empower the country's ever growing creative and cultural industries.

Tashkeel’s commercial services include Consultancy, ranging from advisory, sales, design and production services and special projects for a wide range of clients; Training, the development and delivery of art-based learning for the education, cultural, public and private sectors; Membership, providing comprehensive access for the creative community to facilities and studios to research, experiment, make and collaborate; and Printing & Cutting Services of laser-cutting, fine art/photography & risograph printing; and Retail, selling UAE-made art and design products instore and online as well as across a nationwide network of partners.

Tashkeel’s incubator initiatives include: Tanween, which takes a cohort of UAE-based designers through a one-year skills development programme, taking a product inspired by the UAE from concept to completion; Critical Practice, which invites visual artists to embark on a one-year skills development programme of studio practice, mentorship and training, culminating in a major solo presentation; Residencies at Tashkeel or abroad, ranging in duration and often in partnership with international partners; Make Works UAE, an online platform connecting creatives and fabricators to enable designers and artists accurate and efficient access to the UAE manufacturing sector; Exhibitions & Fairs to highlight innovation and excellence, growing audience for art & design in the UAE.

About Van Cleef & Arpels

Founded in 1906 in Paris’ Place Vendôme, Van Cleef & Arpels came into being following Alfred Van Cleef’s marriage to Estelle Arpels in 1895. Always striving for excellence, the Maison has become a worldwide reference through its unique designs, its choice of exceptional stones and its virtuoso craftsmanship, offering jewels and timepieces that tell stories and bring enchantment to life. Over the years, the Maison has remained faithful to this highly distinctive style characterized by creativity, refinement, and poetry. Whether inspired by nature, couture or works of the imagination, its collections evoke a timeless world of beauty and harmony. 

Visit www.vancleefarpels.com