Qatari designer, Hissa Haddad (left), and Italian Chamber Chairperson, Palma Libotte, hold a gold-and-pearl-studded designer shoe during a press conference at Marriott Marquis Hotel in Doha yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
DOHA: Following her successful debut at the Paris Fashion Week in October, homegrown Qatari designer Hissa Haddad is set to unveil for the first time in Qatar her stunning ‘Capsule’ shoe collection tomorrow at The Gate Mall.
The Qatari brand generated a lot of good buzz when it was unveiled in Paris and the same excitement is expected in its Qatar launch.
“The buyers and the media expected to see brands across Europe and they had never seen a Qatari brand. They were interested to know more not only about the inspiration and the story behind the brand but also about Qatar and its culture,” Hissa told The Peninsula as she revealed the design to local media for the first time yesterday.
Inspired by Islamic architecture and Qatari culture, Haddad’s first women’s designer shoe collection, which was a product of over a year of hard work and partnership with Italian Chamber in Qatar, will be launched here in five designs. It is made of high quality materials from Italy and produced by a famous Italian manufacturer, behind well-known brands, in Italian standards.
Hissa is the first Qatari female entrepreneur to partner with Italian Chamber in coming up with designer shoes created in one of the world’s important fashion capitals.
“We don’t get a lot of female entrepreneurs coming to us for assistance. I was amazed of her determination, hard work and her level of preparation for the project. She was a young entrepreneur who knew what she wanted and had the passion to turn her dream to reality,” said Italian Chamber Chairperson Palma Libotte.
“I have always wanted to launch a Qatari brand. We do have lots of women here who are extremely creative but, perhaps, didn’t go all the way to take their brands at the international arena. I would love to be an inspiration to all those women and I would love to tell them they can do whatever they want; they just have to do it,” said Hissa.
The designer describes Hissa Haddad as a Qatari brand created in Italian standard and her debut ‘Capsule’ designs a classic collection which draws inspiration from Qatari culture and Islamic architecture.
“The cut is inspired by Islamic architecture, the pearls depict Qatari culture and the gold and gems are jewels we frequently wear,” she explained, adding she is soon meeting many international buyers who have expressed interest in the brand.
“There’s a lot of tradition behind the product which gives it an added value. The various design elements are strongly linked with culture which, I think, created a lot of interest among Italian manufacturers,” said Libotte.
Hissa said she had already finalized her second collection to be launched at the London Fashion Week next month.
