A series of fashion shows featuring a collection of abayas, jalabiyas and evening gowns highlighted the opening of 14th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition Friday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The five-day event, under the patronage of Qatar Museums chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, is showcasing a total of 230 brands from 14 countries, including 170 from Qatar – the largest display of local designers to date.
The works from countries such as Kuwait, Oman, India, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Italy, Morocco, Hong Kong, Lebanon, China, Spain, Belgium, and the US, are also on display at this year’s edition of Heya, which will conclude on October 30.
Leading fashion brands globally such as Antonia Serena, Bouret, Lucia de Miguel and Inunez from Spain; Alter Era from Belgium; Luna Italia from Italy; and Toska New York from the US, as well as Noon Design, Farasha, Closhe Couture, Sharifa Style, Hamdah and Bride Atelier from Qatar; and Caftan Lella Salma from Morocco showcased their latest designs at the fashion shows. Qatar Chamber executive board member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani, along with Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) acting communications and marketing director Jawaher al-Khuzaei and Design Creationz spokesperson Esraa Abel, led the opening of the exhibition and toured each of the stalls.
Modest apparel on display at the fashion show. PICTURES: Jayan Orma
Apart from the fashion shows, the event also is holding a number of fora on women’s empowerment in fashion and the arts.
The first day included Toska New York, world renowned US celebrity designer on ‘Running a very tough competitive fashion business’ and led by its co-founder Marion Milenovic, as well as a forum by Alter Era from Belgium on ‘What has Belgium fashion achieved from Antwerp Six to the present and how does their brand represent their country,’ led by co-founders of the Belgian brand, Alicia Declerck and Zhanna Belskaya.
Renowned Kuwaiti influencer and makeup artist Abeer Alyaseen conducted a make-up workshop, offering tips and advices for visitors, in addition to several workshops designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs. Organisers said that an hour-long fashion will take place Saturday at 7.30pm to showcase the latest designs by QLabel from Qatar, as well as Sharifa Style and Al Bacarrat.
Asma al-Thani, who recently made history by becoming the first Qatari to ski to the North Pole, aims to inspire and empower women in a forum titled ‘Breaking Boundaries: Simply Women’ at 6.40pm Saturday. “Heya has evolved over the years, as people not only visit to shop and complete their collections but also to learn about culture and modest fashion trends,” Abel said. She noted that the event also allotted a huge space for local talents, recording a 65% increase in the number of exhibitors compared to the previous autumn/winter show in 2017.
