Fashion design students graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) this year presented their senior year collections at a fashion show.
Five senior students from the Qatar Foundation (QF) partner showcased their designs at the show titled “Paradox – Two places at once” for an audience that included their families and friends, in addition to the VCUarts Qatar community.
These collections evoked each designer’s personal interpretation of their chosen theme, and were as varied as maladaptive daydreaming, Qatar’s topography and heritage, third culture influences and women empowerment.
Christopher Fink, chair, Fashion Design, VCUarts Qatar, said, “This year, the senior fashion show saw the students take charge of all aspects of the event, from concept to execution, for the first time, adding to the element of suspense and excitement. Their organisational skills came to the fore, and the result was an incredible event that had the imprints of creativity, seamless collaboration and sheer hard work.”
The names of the collections, and the respective designers, who took part in the presentation were: “Systematic Chaos” by Tiaba Nazir; “Kandaka” by Rana Elhadi; “Noori” by Noor Rashid Butt; “Mermaid Desert” by Moza Alsharim; and “You’re just as sane as I am” by Iman Imran.
In addition to friends and families of the senior fashion design students, faculty and senior leadership from the university, this year’s show featured special guests from the local creative sector including dignitaries and senior representatives from various governmental and private organisations including Qatar Museums, QF, Doha Film Institute (DFI), and Printemps to name a few. Senior representatives from embassies and other universities were present as well.
The event was supported by local businesses and creative organisations. Al Isteklal IACQatar was a sponsor of the event, while the videos on the students’ individual collections were produced with the support of the DFI which also sponsored an award.
Following the show, VCUarts Qatar’s Department of Fashion Design handed out special awards to senior and junior fashion design students.
Tiaba Nazir won two awards: the Golden Needle Award for Most Outstanding Senior 2023 and the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for a senior student. The other senior students who received awards were Noor Rashid Butt and Iman Imran. Butt received the Special Project Award while Imran was recognised with the Team Spirit Award.
The Golden Needle Award for Most Outstanding Junior went to Maha al-Rabaan and the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for a junior student was awarded to Wadha al- Attiya.
In addition to the departmental awards, partners and sponsors who supported the fashion show presented awards in specific categories to the senior students. Rana Elhadi won two awards: the Harper’s Bazaar Qatar Emerging Talent Award and the DFI Narrative By Design Award. The Printemps Award for Emerging Talent in Accessory Design was awarded to Moza al-Sharim.
