From left: Reem Al Suwaidi, General Manager of Bedaya; Esraa Abel, Design Creationz spokesperson; Jawaher Al Khuzaei, Acting Director of Communications and Marketing at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA); and Aysha Al Romaihi, Business Development Manager at Q
DOHA: More than 40 international brands participating in 13th edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition including Romani Design Hungarian brand participating for the first time.
Under the patronage of H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the show will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) from April 25 to 29. The event is delivered by Qatari company Design Creationz, with support from Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
Qatar’s most popular showcase of abayas and traditional Arabian attire will return this month with a rich display of more than 300 local, regional and international brands, including more than 190 brands from Qatar.
Representing a 75% increase in local designers from the previous Spring/Summer 2017 edition, this highly-anticipated event is a celebration of local, Pan-Arab and international designer talents where the latest fashions will be on display, catering to a growing demand for modest and Islamic styles in a fashion forward market.
This year, the exhibition will showcase more international brands of Abayas and modest fashion collections than ever before with 18 countries attending including neighboring Kuwait and Oman as well as India, Turkey, Ecuador, Iraq, China, Hungary, Lebanon, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco, Hong Kong, UK, Spain, and Italy.
Talking to The Peninsula, Reem Al Suwaidi, General Manager of Bedaya said: “We are honoured to announce the participation of eight leading projects led by women at the 13th edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition this year. This is addition to six fashion projects and two projects specialized in accessories and perfumes taking part in the event.”
“Today, we aim to support the community and visitors of the exhibition to motivate those young women to continue to compete in the local as well as regional markets,” she added.
Numerous fashion shows, workshops and conversations with fashion icons are woven through the must-visit edition of Heya. Organisers have announced partnerships to continue the events legacy of bringing innovative ways to support entrepreneurs.
Both exhibitors and visitors will be treated to a conversation with world famous Turkish designer Dilek Hanif who will host an inspirational talk about her journey to the top of the fashion industry.Designers from Ecuador and Hungary will also take part in this year’s edition through a special partnership with the embassies of Ecuador and Hungary.
Jawaher Al-Khuzaei, Acting Director of Communications and Marketing at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), said, “It gives us great pleasure to witness the continued development of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, especially as we move forward on the Next Chapter of the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy, which aims to enhance the visitor experience and increase private sector participation in the industry’s development. As a growing platform for entrepreneurs and fashionistas from Qatar and around the world, Heya is testament to the power of business events to celebrate our cultural heritage and to bring together both budding and world-renowned businesses.”
Design Creationz spokesperson Esraa Abel said: “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 Ecuador and Hungary. We have also dedicated a larger portion of the exhibition space to local talent, with more than 190 brands participating from Qatar alone, the largest number to date.”
“QBIC is proud to be partnering with Heya once again as we continue to actively strengthen the advancement of female entrepreneurship in Qatar. Extending our support to entrepreneurs from the fashion industry is something we pride ourselves in and Heya provides the ideal partnership and platform for QBIC’s fashion incubates to showcase their inspiring creations,” said Aysha Al-Romaihi, Business Development Manager at Qatar Business Incubation Center.
Heya is open for women only except on the opening day (25th April), during which men can accompany family members. Children below the age of the 13 cannot enter the exhibition.
