Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition will return for its 14th edition this month with a display of more than 230 local, regional and international fashion brands, including more than 170 brands from Qatar.
Under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the show will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre between October 26 and 30.
Representing a 65% increase in local designers from the previous Autumn/Winter 2017 edition, the event is a showcase of local, pan-Arab and international designers where the latest fashions will be on display, catering to a growing demand for modest and Islamic styles in a fashion forward market, the organisers have said in a press statement.
In this edition, the exhibition will welcome a 56% increase in the number of exhibitors compared to the Heya12 Autumn/Winter 2017 Exhibition, with 14 countries confirmed to attend – including Kuwait and Oman as well as India, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Italy, Morocco, Hong Kong, Lebanon, China, Spain, Belgium and the US.
Heya is “Qatar’s most popular showcase of abayas and traditional Arabian attire”, the statement notes.
Numerous fashion shows, workshops and conversations with fashion icons are woven through this edition of Heya.
The organisers have announced partnerships to continue the events legacy of bringing innovative ways to support entrepreneurs through collaborations with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) and Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC), as well as new partnerships with Discover America Week, Tajmeel (Qatar International Beauty Academy) and Instituto di Moda Burgo Qatar (Fashion and Arts Academy), participating for the first time.
Heya will provide its visitors with expertise in everything – from fashion marketing to finance and advice in getting a fashion business off the ground. Both exhibitors and visitors will also be treated to a conversation with Sheikha Asma al-Thani, who recently made history by becoming the first Qatari to ski to the North Pole. Sheikha Asma will talk about her journey in an exclusive forum designed to empower Qatari women.
The 14th edition of Heya will offer shoppers and visitors an assortment of collections, from high-street apparel, couture and luxury, to the latest modest fashion evening gowns, leather accessories as well as perfumery and make-up.
Offering a flavour of Arabian heritage, the Autumn/Winter 2018 show will see returning brands such as 3 batch by Fatma Alahmed, Almotahajiba and QLabel from Qatar; as well as Lala Moda from Morocco, Luna Italia from Italy and Bocan from Turkey. A host of new brands will also participate this year, including Khemar, Lulu Collection and Noon Designs from Qatar, Dar Alamria from Kuwait and Aikeya from India.
Heya’s US dedicated pavilion will feature world-renowned celebrity designer Tosca New York. Another highlight at Heya this year will be the showcase of two dedicated pavilions from Spain and Belgium. Key designers participating from Spain will be Antonia Serena, Bouret, Lucia de Miguel and Inunez, while Alter Era will bring their designs straight from Belgium to the heart of Doha.
Heya is delivered by Design Creationz with the support of Qatar Tourism Authority as part of its efforts to empower the private sector to attract and host global events.
The 14th edition of Heya will also feature a new partnership with Tajmeel, which will lead a series of workshops throughout the exhibition on various topics, including a make-up demo, what works and what doesn’t in skincare and a dedicated workshop on hairstyles.
Heya is open for women only except on the opening day (October 26), during which men can accompany family members. Children below the age of the 13 years cannot enter the exhibition.
A file picture from a previous edition of Heya.
