Qatari designers to share & gain ideas at DJWE

Doha: Up-and-coming Qatari designers are benefitting in a big way from the Young Qatari Designers (YQDs) initiative, which returns for the second year at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) next month.

This DJWE initiative under the patronage of Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani will set the stage for six local designers at the six-day show which will see more than 400 world-renowned brands take part.

Sara Al Hammadi, one of the Qatari designers featured at YQD’s inaugural edition, said her participation last year provided her invaluable experience and insights.

“It was a great experience. We shared ideas and learned from one another. I also got to know more in depth what my clients like and gained a better view of what the tastes of the local women are,” Sara told The Peninsula.

There was a great deal of knowledge sharing through the programme in terms of the technical aspect of jewellery-making as well as insights on the industry.

“The initiative helped by exchanging ideas in terms of jewellery-making such as what raw materials to use in a certain jewellery piece. They shared with me ideas on how to gain recognition in the industry and on top of that, we gained more access to the market,” she said.

After her successful participation at YQD, Sara will have her own booth at this year’s DJWE which she sees as an excellent opportunity to take the brand to another level.

“I find it a great opportunity; the society will get to know more about us in Qatar. It will be a great chance to meet the other new Qatari designers and discover their unique ideas alongside. I will also get to know other new clients. I believe this step will make us gain experience for our company,” she explained.

Visitors to Sarah’s&Co’s booth can expect a new line of very current and functional designs as well as collections with a hint of traditional Qatari cultural elements.

“This year, we are focusing on jewellery with a modern design and multi-purpose attributes such as a Necklace which can be worn in different styles, as a long chain and detachable into a brooch.

We will have a variety of jewels on display including large diamond necklace sets, certified solitaires, along with natural pearls. Being of historical significance to Qatar, pearls will be one of the many highlights in our collection,” she said, giving a sneak peek on her new collection.

Sara has always had a penchant for jewellery, particularly bridal pieces, prior to taking a career on jewellery design. “There were times I’ve attended weddings in Qatar and I have watched women enter the ballroom with gorgeous gleaming jewellery. I’ve always seen bridal jewellery like one of Picasso’s well-known artworks; they always seem like a mixed up puzzle with shapes but at the same time they all somehow fit so smoothly together in one place,” she explained.

She added: “I’ve also always loved to draw repeating patterns throughout my life, and in such a way I have always found resemblance between patterns and jewellery designs and this in result brought out my interest in making bridal jewellery.”

The YQDs initiative this year will shine a spotlight on three new and three returning talented Qatari designers, by providing them with a unique platform to showcase their new collections alongside renowned international brands.

The designers include Nada Al Sulaiti (Hairaat); Nouf Al Meer (Nouf Jewellery) ; Ghada Al Buainain ; Leila Abu Issa (Leila Issam Fine Jewellery); Shikha Mohamed (Al Ghla Jewellery); and Jawaher and Hissa Mohammed Al Mannai (Ghand Jewellery).