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Qatar Reads, an initiative under the Qatar National Library (QNL), and M7 have launched the Fables in Fashion Art Exhibition 2025 to illustrate the book Maqamat Al-Hariri in diverse artistic formats. Held in Msheireb M7, Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and tech, the exhibition expands the life of literature to connect and inform community members about our past as a source of cultural and creative innovation. The exhibition, which runs until September 20, is part of “One Book, One Doha”, Qatar Reads' annual reading campaign that brings community members together in a shared reading experience. Each year a book from Arabic literature is selected, inviting everyone to read, reflect and engage through a variety of campaign activities. A total of 30 artists and fashion designers are participating in reviving the content of this Arabic literary masterpiece. The exhibition includes canvas works, installations and fashion designs that were produced by 13 Qatari artists and 17 international artists. Thirty-two artistic and creative works are on display, in addition to eight fashion pieces to celebrate the power of literature and timeless wisdom. In this art exhibition, artists and collaborators bring a fresh visual perspective that infuses the narrative with a creative spirit and artistic depth. This enriches the book's content and transforms it into a multi-dimensional experience. Through their original contributions, the artists reimagine the text, broadening its scope and adding new levels of meaning. The exhibition is not just a representation of the book, it celebrates the creative added value brought by each participating artist, turning the literary work into a vibrant space for dialogue where words and images come together in a harmony worth exploring. HE the Minister of State and QNL president Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari said: “It is a true honour to present this magnificent artistic experience that can enable the society to learn and discover new meanings.” “The art exhibition emphasises our role at the QNL – thus expanding our efforts beyond the bookshelves,” he said. “It builds on our heritage and literature to promote imagination and creativity, culturally and technologically.” “We always aim to present our history in new, engaging ways to help the new generations absorb wisdom and build on a solid foundation where they can find engaging topics in old books,” HE Dr al-Kawari added. “This exhibition encourages members of the community to engage with literature in different ways, which means leveraging the power of reading to cultivate a reading culture within the community.” “By merging literacy initiatives with art and fashion, the Fables in Fashion Art Exhibition 2025 demonstrates that reading is part of our future-oriented vision – fueling creativity, collaboration and cultural dialogue,” he concluded. “When we selected Maqamat Al-Hariri as Book of the Year, it was based on our conviction that its themes would resonate widely across all segments of the community,” said Qatar Reads manager Fatema al-Malki, said. “We are proud of this interactive experience, which highlights art and fashion as powerful tools to reinforce the role of literature in our society, fostering creativity, innovation and cultural enrichment.”

Hundreds of people formed a silent queue Saturday in the heart of Milan's fashion district to pay their respects to Giorgio Armani, Italy's most famous designer, who died this week at the age of 91. The passing of Armani has sparked an outpouring of grief with tributes flowing in from Hollywood celebrities and ordinary people alike. Over a career spanning five decades, he built a business empire spanning from haute couture to home furnishing, with his name becoming synonymous with sober elegance."Everything he did in his life he did it out of passion," said Pier Carlo Bertoglio, who travelled from nearby Lodi to the Armani headquarters, where the body will be lying in state over the weekend before a private funeral today."Everyone here today should testify to the love they have received from him." John Elkann, the scion of Italy's prominent Agnelli family, and his wife Lavinia, were among the first visitors to reach the Armani "theatre" — the vast exhibition space inside the Armani headquarters where catwalk shows are held and where the wooden coffin topped with an arrangement of white flowers has been laid.Elkann, who heads the Agnelli family's investment vehicle Exor, had previously discussed a potential combination with Armani to create an Italian luxury goods conglomerate, including Exor-owned sports car maker Ferrari. The talks led nowhere.Armani, who had no children, has put in place measures to ensure continuity and independence for his business, which he ran with trusted family members and a network of long-time colleagues.Early visitors also included Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala. Milan, the city, where Armani relocated with his family after World War Two, will hold a day of public mourning today."Milan is full of Armani 'signs', it would be impossible to forget him," Sala said. "His biggest legacy to the city I reckon is his profound belief in work as a means of self-realisation."People waited patiently under the trees that line the cul-de-sac where the Armani offices, designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, sit across from the Armani/Silos, a museum opened in 2015 to mark 40 years of his career and where the Armani Prive haute couture collections of the past 20 years are currently on display."When I grew up in China, Armani's name is equal to Italian," said Jonah Liu, who stood in the crowd, sporting an Armani t-shirt and holding a small bunch of white daisies."He turned Italian elegance into a global fashion grammar ... I'm obliged to come here to pay my tribute to him." In line with Armani's wishes, a separate entry was reserved for group staff."I'm one of his employees, so I'm sincerely attached to him," said Alessandra Caccavo, wiping away the tears with her fingers behind her sunglasses."He made sure we never wanted for anything ... he was exceptional, so hospitable, ... we would always see him in the offices, which means a lot when you think who he was."

Designer Giorgio Armani, who helped to put Italy at the forefront of global fashion and dressed Hollywood stars, has died at the age of 91, the company that he founded and led for five decades said Thursday. Armani combined the flair of a designer with business acumen as he directed a company generating some €2.3bn ($2.7bn) in annual turnover.The designer had been unwell for some time and was forced to drop out of his group's shows at Milan's Men's Fashion Week in June, the first time he had missed one of his catwalk events.