The 11th edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), attracted more than 13,000 visitors when it concluded at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The five-day event brought together fashion enthusiasts and influencers, families, and aspiring designers to discover more than 250 local, regional and international exhibitors.
This year saw the largest number of established and emerging Qatari designers over 100 booths in the exhibition, displaying the latest collection of abayas, kaftans, jalabiyas, evening gowns, veils and other accessories.
The show also received praise for its innovative idea to invite families to attend on day one, including husbands and aspiring fashion enthusiasts.
“Since its inception, Heya has evolved to become an inspiring venue where visitors can discover cultural perspectives, socialise and network with peers, learning valuable skills to help designers and entrepreneurs take their fashion business further,” QTA’s exhibitions director Ahmed al-Obaidli said in a statement.
“Thanks to the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and the professionalism and commitment of our partners, Heya has secured its place on the modest fashion industry calendar,” al-Obaidli stressed, as he thanked Design Creationz “for ensuring the smooth operation of the show.”
In partnership with Esmod, a leading global fashion school, Heya hosted eight workshops that offered practical advice and interactive classes to aspiring entrepreneurs and designers.
Visitors were also entertained with daily fashion shows, featuring the latest collections from exhibitors as their designs were bought to life on the catwalk.
Among the exhibitors, local Qatari talent included established brands Debaj, AishaZ Collection and Harlienz who have grown their reputation throughout the GCC and the emerging brands such as Stylek Design and Sawsan Hafedh who were presenting their collections at Heya for the first time.
