…Showcasing Traditional Design and Talents from around the Globe along with a Host of New Visitor Experiences
Day 2 offers fashion show by Qatari celebrated brand “QLabel” in addition to forums and workshops by key industry players including Instituto di Moda Burgo Qatar, Tajmeel, VCUQ and Sheikha Asma Al-Thani
Doha, Qatar: 26 October 2018 – The 14th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition was officially opened today by Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani, Executive Board Member at Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Jawaher Al-Khuzaei, Acting Director of Communications and Marketing at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA); Esraa Abel from Design Creationz as well as Ambassadors, VIP’s and media.
The five-day exhibition, which runs until Tuesday 30 October 2018 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), is set to bring a series of fashion-centric events showcasing the latest in Arabian and modest fashion, as well as inspiring discussions on women’s empowerment in fashion and the arts and a series of new experiences for visitors designed to educate, inspire and celebrate the growing global modest fashion industry.
Heya is delivered by Design Creationz with the support of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) as part of its efforts to empower the private sector to attract and host global events. Jawaher Al-Khuzaei, Acting Director of Communications and Marketing at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), commented: “We’re delighted with the breadth of participation in this edition of Heya and are proud of the continued growth of this exhibition. Empowering the Business Events sector continues to be a key part of our strategy to develop the tourism industry and draw international visitors, and we are particularly pleased to see that Heya has given rise to niche and professional exhibition organizers and suppliers over the span of its 14 editions.”
The opening day witnessed a series of fashion shows presenting a collection of abayas, jalabiyas and evening gowns by leading fashion brands from around the world, including Antonia Serena, Bouret, Lucia de Miguel and Inunez from Spain; Alter Era from Belgium; Luna Italia from Italy; 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.
Forums on the first day included Toska New York, world renowned US celebrity designer on ‘Running a very tough competitive fashion business’ and led by Marion Milenovic, co-founder of Tosca New York 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.
Abeer Alyaseen, renowned Kuwaiti influencer and makeup artist also made a special appearance through a dedicated make-up workshop where she offered valuable tips and advices for visitors.
On Saturday, 27 October – the second day of Heya – visitors can enjoy an hour-long fashion show showcasing the latest designs by QLabel from Qatar; as well as Sharifa Style and Al Bacarrat. The fashion show will begin at 7:30pm.
Guests can also participate in ‘Breaking Boundaries: Simply Women’ forum by Asma Al-Thani who recently made history by becoming the first Qatari to ski to the North Pole, where she will talk about her journey to empower Qatari women (6:40pm).
In addition, workshops designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs will be taking place in the evening including key industry players; ‘Haute Couture Draping Techniques’ by Instituto di Moda Burgo Qatar (Fashion and Arts Academy) (4:30pm); ‘Selecting Beauty Products: What Works and What Doesn’t’ by Tajmeel (Qatar International Beauty Academy) (5:30pm); ‘Selvert Skin’, a dedicated workshop on skin care by Maison De Joelle (6:00pm); and ‘Contemporary Pattern Development’ a workshop on fashion by Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQ) (7:10pm).
Esraa Abel, spokesperson for Design Creationz, said: “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. The show this year is the most diverse it has ever been; we have designers from countries that have never been represented before, such as Belgium and the US. We have also dedicated a larger portion of the exhibition space to local talent, with more than 170 brands participating from Qatar alone, marking a 65% increase from the previous Autumn/Winter show in 2017.”
Held under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Heya showcases the largest display of local designers to date with more than 170 brands participating in this edition. Overall, more than 230 brands of abayas and modest fashion designs from 14 countries are represented, including neighboring Kuwait and Oman as well as India, Turkey, Sri-Lanka, Italy, Morocco, Hong Kong, Lebanon, China, Spain, Belgium, and the US.
The 14th edition of Heya offers shoppers and visitors an assortment of unique collections, from high-street apparel, couture and luxury, to the latest modest fashion evening gowns, leather accessories as well as perfumery and make-up. The ladies-only event is open to women and girls over 13 years old.
For more information on the 14th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition please visit www.heya.qa. Visitors can also download the Heya mobile app, enabling visitors to stay up-to-date with events and easily navigate brands and goods on offer.
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