Students set to exhibit at Global Graduate Showcase for Dubai Design Week 2019

Malaika Munshi, a Foundation Diploma in Design and Media student, and Nathaniel Mackie, a BA (Hons) Fashion graduand, were both selected to exhibit at the prestigious Global Graduate Showcase in Dubai.

The Global Graduate Showcase takes place during Dubai Design Week, and celebrates the next generation of innovators that are creating solutions for the future. Over 200 universities applied for spaces at the exhibition, with entrants’ sorted into categories ranging from The Human, The Home, The Community, The City and The Planet. 

Malaika and Nathaniel presented their projects among 150 graduates from 100 universities, and were able to receive feedback from members of the public, industry experts and academics in attendance. 

Nathaniel used the showcase as an opportunity to challenge the sustainability issues in the fashion industry. His collection, titled ‘The Justice Collection’ was a tongue in cheek catwalk show where the fashion industry was publicly prosecuted for ethical misdemeanors. The pieces put ‘fashion in the dock’, and playfully addressed longstanding problems in the industry. 

Malaika’s work explores her Indian heritage and the cultural stereotypes that are placed on women. Her ‘Plastic Bride’ photography series addresses the pressure for Indian brides to resemble perfect plastic dolls on their wedding day. She also exhibited a cake mix box titled ‘Instant Bride’, which lists the ingredients for the ‘perfect’ Indian wife, according to traditional expectations. 

Commenting, Malaika said, “I was approached by Dubai Design Week to showcase my work amongst 20 other international artists and was flown down for the exhibition. Over 90,000 people attended the exhibition and I received a tremendous amount of feedback from viewers that saw my pieces.” 

You can find out more about the event at Global Grad Show.