Doha Fashion Summit organisers are planning events across the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and in London, building on a Qatar showcase that brought together international designers and models from 12 countries this month.
Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the “Threads of Fashion” event in Doha on September 18, producer and organiser Mansoor Abdul Majeed outlined a longer-term ambition to take such an event around the world, beginning with the GCC.
He said auditions were held in Riyadh in August, with an initial meeting planned for October.
Oman, Bahrain, Dammam and London, he noted, were also among the destinations he was considering.
“This is our third edition in Qatar,” Abdul Majeed said, adding that the first edition was held under the name “International Designer League”, followed by a second event in January before the change to “Doha Fashion Summit”.
“This is our major event,” he said, describing a wider events business that has organised musical programmes, trade shows and corporate functions.
He highlighted the participation of designers and models from different countries as a feature of this edition.
For event partner Abdul Wahid, creative director of Guidance Events, the attraction was an opportunity to work in a field he believes has room for more events in Qatar.
“Mostly we are doing corporate events,” he said, stressing that his company, which he identified as Guidance Event Management Company, had been operating in Qatar for “almost 10 years”.
Wahid said fashion shows of this kind were comparatively rare in Qatar, which had influenced the decision to join the summit.
“That’s why we selected this kind of fashion show event with Doha Fashion Summit,” he pointed out.
Wahid said interest in fashion was encouraging his company to pursue further projects: “Our next step is we have one project in Saudi Arabia, also in Oman, also London we are planning.”
The Doha programme brought together international collections and locally based talent.
According to the organisers, models representing 12 countries took part.
Among the designers were Doha-based Filipino Ramon Elorta Sarmiento of Rosabella Fashion, Ukrainian Mishel Jaan of Diva Boutique, French designer Laila Allaoui Ouadah of Colour Your Mood Design, and Japan’s Shinobu Harima of S. Shieno.
The line-up included Vesti by Martha Rodriquez, Sonya Styles by Sonya Gurung, Khanfir by Yossra Khanfir, and Calypso by Natascha Asselstine and Monisha Sikka.
The Rosabella Wedding Collection was accompanied by harpist Hristina.
Other presentations included the Filipino Fashion Designers of Qatar, Sinag Fashion Campers and designers Sreerupa Mitra and Meenu Prasad.
Alongside Guidance Events, event partners included Shafi Parakal of Rehaab Media and Mon Sarmiento of Tala Digital Media, Advertising and Events.
LuLu Hypermarket was the title sponsor. JRtistic Women Beauty Salon provided the hair and makeup services.
The Golden Falcon Awards recognised achievements in entrepreneurship, style, digital influence and marketing.
Honourees included Amal Ameen al-Mehain for entrepreneurship, Mariam Ammar for style coaching, Ahmed Saif Alnoufali, known as Ahmed Pato, for digital influence, Qatar Living for its social media platform and Sara Chatila for marketing.
Iris Rodriguez received a lifetime achievement award, while Farhan al-Sheikh al-Sayed and Khalid Abdul Rehman Fakhroo were also honoured for supporting the summit, according to the organisers.