The 12th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition continues to present a “showstopper event for local designers, delivering a platform to foster Qatar’s fashion scene and empower entrepreneurship and knowledge-sharing”, the organisers have said.
This year, for the first time Heya has partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) and Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC) to provide “valuable expertise for visitors in everything — from fashion marketing to finance, and how to get a fashion business off the ground via daily workshops, forums and talks”, the statement notes.
Additionally, the exhibition is presenting a rich display of Qatari brands, with a 25% increase from the previous edition of the highly-anticipated event.
Responsible for delivering Heya, Design Creationz’s spokesperson Esraa Abel said: “Heya is not just a sales opportunity for designers, but also a platform for the key institutes and leaders in Qatar to come together to fulfil the shows mission to nurture and inspire the local design industry.”
QBIC has delivered workshops on its unique mixed-use business incubation centre and its support services to help entrepreneurs with business ideas or those who want to grow their business.
Entrepreneurs and designers can attend the final workshop today at Heya to ‘Learn How QBIC’s Services Can Get You Ahead’.
With a mandate to empower entrepreneurs to start and grow companies by incubating, developing, investing and connecting, Aysha al-Mudahka, CEO of QBIC, will also present a dedicated forum today, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of ‘Online Store vs A Boutique’.
Al-Mudahka said: “It’s been such a pleasure to be a part of this incredibly dynamic event, and take part in shaping such promising talented women. The ideas and creations I’ve seen over the past couple of days could be the thriving businesses of tomorrow.”
VCUQatar has also hosted workshops and forums at Heya on ‘Fashion Illustration’, ‘The Creative Process’ and ‘The Mood & Design Board’, developed to teach the basics of fashion design.
VCUarts Qatar has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and plays a significant role in its catalyst for growth, having established itself as a centre of excellence for education and research in local art and design.
In addition to the learning opportunities at Heya, the 12th edition offers shoppers and visitors the opportunity to complete their Autumn/Winter collections, from high-street apparel, couture and luxury, to the latest modest fashion evening gowns, leather accessories, and for the first-time perfumery and make-up.
Visitors can browse more than 150 abaya and modest fashion brands from over 15 countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, India, Turkey, Lebanon, Indonesia, Morocco, Spain, Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, the UK, France, Mexico and Hong Kong, for the first time.
The show also offers a flavour of Arabian heritage, with returning brands such as Debaj, Al Motahajiba, Al Dukan and Harlienz, as well as new popular brands Q-Label, Dary collection, Modish, and Endemage from Oman.
Today, visitors can also attend Heya to participate in forums for aspiring designers, including ‘Online Store vs A Boutique’ involving QBIC, Qatari brand WAAD and Emna Hedi Stylist & Fashion Consultant, as well as ‘Fashion Buyer’s Secrets Revealed V.2 (Part 2)’.
Workshops will focus on helping local entrepreneurs, including ‘How Women Work: Empowering Women’, ‘The Rhythm of Fashion, How Does it Work?’ by the German embassy, ‘Learn How QBIC’s Services Can Get You Ahead’, ‘VCU: The Creative Process’ and to conclude, ‘Makeup Consultation with Wojooh’.
Held under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Heya has invited all women and girls over the age of 13 years to attend Heya at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre until November 7.
Related Story