75% rise in Qatari designers at Heya Exhibition

DOHA: The 13th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition continues to present a showstopper event for local designers, delivering a platform to foster Qatar’s fashion scene and empower entrepreneurship and knowledge-sharing.
The event has been very positively received by visitors for the quality and variety of collections from Qatari entrepreneurs, as well as the dynamism of forums and workshops on offer for visitors.

Representing a 75 percent increase in Qatari designers from the previous Spring/Summer 2017 edition, the 13th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition saw returning brands including Q Label and Al Motahajiba, as well as new exhibitors including; Neshel by Najeba, Sahar Al Hamoud and S Style from Kuwait; and Romani Design, a unique brand from Hungary.

Elisabete Reis, Debaj’s Brand Creative Director, told The Peninsula at the exhibition yesterday: “This year we are showcasing ‘Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi’ collection, which is inspired by the Queen of Iran. this collection is highly associated with a women who has beauty, power and strength. We have a lot of blue colour this year which associates the trend of summer and spring season. We have a lot of details of embroidery on velvet this year. The cuts are inspired by 60’s and 90’s, fabrics we used are silk, organza, chiffon. It very interesting collection this year, I have added feathers and stones as well to make this collection look vibrant.This year’s collection consists of many shades of blues. The designs fits different personalities of different women”.

The 13th edition of Heya also features a first of its kind guidance partnership with Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development, a joint initiative by Qatar Development Bank and Silatech, to advise aspiring young Qatari entrepreneurs on their professional path. Commenting on her participation at this year’s Heya exhibition, Fatma Al-Emadi, designer of Silva’s Dresses, said: “The experience has been really beneficial for an upcoming fashion label new to the market. I have met with influencers, buyers and have got lots of new potential clients, I am glad I have participated in Heya 13”.

In the course of the first two days of Heya, Bedaya Center has delivered workshops to advise aspiring young Qatari entrepreneurs on their professional path. Featuring examples of success stories of young Qataris who have successfully established their businesses, the forums provided practical insight into the foundations and infrastructure required to develop a robust business in fashion.

Aysha Al Mudakha, CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Center QBIC commented: “It’s been such a pleasure to be a part of this incredibly dynamic event, and take part in shaping such promising and talented women. The ideas and creations I’ve seen over the past couple of days could be the thriving businesses of tomorrow. All these women have such passion and talent, all they need is the right mentorship and support, and we’re thrilled to be here and be able to help provide that guidance”.

The exhibition, today, will see a series of workshops will take place with the aim to empower Qatari up and coming designers to establish and grow their business. At 5pm, Entrepreneurs and designers can attend a workshop on ‘Bedaya’s Services and How it can Help you Attain your Goals‘. And at 5:45pm, VCUQ will host another workshop under the title ‘Fashion Design in the Digital Era’.