22 Jan 2018 – 2:13
By Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula
DOHA: Shop Qatar 2018 kicked off yet another exciting week yesterday with the start of International Week featuring a special line-up of entertainment and activities that celebrate the arts and cultures from all over the world.
Famous Spanish celebrity fashion designer Alejandro Resta’s three-day workshop for fashion aficionados began yesterday at the Ritz-Carlton Doha. The award-winning designer reveals his process for creating clothes that push boundaries and set trends in this three-day certified course.
Pop-up shops demonstrations on Malaysian kite making, Russian doll making, basket weaving, and Russian ribbon embroidery also kicked off yesterday at participating malls.
One of the highlights of the week is the International Fashion Show which will witness a stunning showcase of over 100 designs by world renowned designers such as Resta, Fouad Sarkis, Maria B, Imran Rajput and Thaher Baqer. The event to be held on Wednesday at 7pm at Mondrian Doha hotel is free and registration can be done at www.talentresources.org/fashion-show-registration.
International Fashion Show follows the success of last week’s Bollywood Fashion Show held at the same venue and saw a dazzling showcase of over 100 Sari- and Lehenga-inspired dresses by six celebrity designers capped with a guest appearance by Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor in a Vikram Phadnis creation.
The first ever Middle East concert of the Grammy Award-winning electronic dance music (EDM) pop duo The Chainsmokers is the major entertainment offering this week expected to draw 5,000 fans. The event, which will take place on Thursday at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), will see the duo play their chart-topping hits. There are still tickets available at https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/qa/music/5508/the-chainsmokers. Last week, Bollywood singing sensation Sonu Nigam serenaded his fans in a four-hour performance of some of his popular hits at the DECC.
Participating malls also hosted a variety of Bollywood-themed pop-up shops inviting mall-goers to create and personalise their own embroidered khussa slippers and bangles, in addition to exclusive shows such as Colours of India at City Centre Doha. This week, malls have also prepared exclusive shows to entertain visitors such as ‘Fashion Through History’ at Lagoona Mall and Filipino parade at Gulf Mall.
For a traditional shopping experience, festival partner Embrace Doha is leading shopping tours through Souq Waqif, stopping along the way to sample and learn about spices, incense, traditional food, art and clothes. The week’s upcoming tours include a women’s tour on Thursday, a men’s tour on Friday, and a family tour (free for children under 14) on Saturday. Tours run from 5pm to 6.30pm and cost QR150 per person. Those interested to join can register on http://www.shopqatar.qa/discover/shop-qatar-tours/.
