Fashionista unplugged.

AILYN AGONIA DOHA SELINA Farooqui, the 23 yearold winner of this year's W Doha and VCUQ Fashion Award, looks up to fashion gurus Valentino, Lanvin and Nina Ricci but credits her cosmopolitan background for her distinct panache.

The three-time winner of the VCUQ prestigious Golden Needle Award and W Hotel's Best Fashion Designer 2011 is an Indian national, who was born and raised in the Middle East and educated in American schools.

"I have been brought up in an international setting.

I feel all these aspects of my background have influenced my design concepts.

I am able to create contemporary and wearable garments, which are unique in fabrication, style and colour and feature a mixture of Indo-Arabian touch.

My collections are unique because I'm fond of amalgamating different textures of fabrics, contrasting heavy jacquards and embroidered fabrics with gauzy chiffon and smooth silk.

I also put a lot of hand detailing into my garments, giving each piece a distinct touch.

Most of my garments are one of a kind," Selina told Qatar Tribune in an interview.

The young fashionista discovered her love for stylish designer wears when she was in high school.

She said it was her passion for art and fondness for shopping and fashion-reading materials that enhanced her creative flair.

"I had always loved art, sketching and painting.

And I was equally interested in shopping and reading fashion magazines and books.

The two mixed together in my last year of high school, when I started designing accessories.

I filled up entire sketch books with drawings of shoes and jewellery.

I remember one of the first designer collections that I saw on the Internet was a collection of evening gowns by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad.

The sheer luxury and beauty of his gowns touched me, and I was for the first time, inspired to be a fashion designer myself, and to create my own fashion that would one day inspire others.

When it was time for me to choose the university, the choice was clear.

I wanted to study fashion design and I enrolled myself at VCUQ and haven't looked back since," she said.

While in university, Selina started realising her dreams.

In fact, it was during her second year at VCUQ that she made something she officially considers 'her first creation'.

"I had purchased some sequined sari material from India and transformed it into a simple dress.

I still have it with me today, and I have actually worn it well! At the time I felt like I had made the most beautiful dress in the world.

For the first time I saw what I could do with a sewing machine.

I look back at it now, seeing several small things I need to fix, but also with fond memories of my beginnings, of learning how to drape fabric, make patterns and how to master the industrial sewing machine," she fondly recalls.

The annual VCUQ Fashion Show has always been the highlight of the fashion students' year and more so for Selina.

During this event, all students get to present their collections to selected fashion experts in the country.

Their works are being judged from construction, craftsmanship, quality of execution and fabric selection to design concepts.

And for the third year in a row, it was the Indian designer's collection which was hailed the best.

"Each year the competition in our university has been getting stronger.

More and more talented designers are coming up and I found that I had to put in 100 per cent of my effort and creative energy to produce the award winning collection.

I have tremendous respect for my fellow designers and feel we all have something unique to offer the world of fashion," she said.

Selina, who graduated last month from the VCUQ, recently showcased over 100 garments and accessories from her past and present collections at the W Hotel's famous E-Wow Suite.

It is part of the perks of being named by the posh hotel as the Best Designer of the year, another feat for the youngster.

According to her, "This showcase was a huge success.

So many people came to support me and to view my collection.

I have gained confidence in my work and this achievement is pushing me to further my career as a designer and to never stop improving myself.

I am motivated now to create even better collections and more classy garments.

This has set me on the path and I am ready to go with everything I have to offer." Just like any other fashion student, Selina hopes to see herself as an established designer down the road.

Her future plans also include selling her wears in different boutiques in the Middle East and taking part in the international fashion week.

And Selina has already started taking baby steps towards her ambition.

She announced that she will be selling a new collection at Cugini, a boutique in the Pearl, Doha, soon.

The collection will be for Fall/Winter 2011-12.

"I can't predict more about my future as I believe part of the excitement of life is when we do not know what to expect next.

At present, I am doing everything I can to see myself succeed as a designer.

I am working harder than I have ever done before.

I am multi-tasking and taking on every opportunity that is presented to me.

I want to try my best to make my dreams come true and to not have any regrets later on," she said.

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