12 designers set to turn heads at Shop Qatar fashion show

Adding glitter to the fashion event are well-known Pakistani movie stars Imran Abbas, who will wear an Alejandro Resta creation, and Maya Ali, who will don a Maria B design.

World renowned award-winning Spanish designer Resta will showcase 15 pieces from his ‘Candy’ collection he created in memory of his late grandmother who recently passed away and was of great influence on his pursuit for a career in fashion.

“I dedicate this whole collection to my grandmother who passed away last month. Her name is Candy and she introduced me to fashion teaching me how to sew. She was from Andalusia in southern Spain which is historically very much related to the Arab world,” Resta told the media on the sidelines of a press briefing at Ritz-Carlton Doha yesterday.

In deciding on what to showcase for his Doha debut, Resta said he had two options: to show a new completely different fashion style or bring the traditional Spanish fashion culture to Qatar. He decided to follow the latter bringing a slice of Spanish traditional fashion chiefly Andalusian to Qatar.
“I’m trying to bring Andalusia’s traditional fashion to Qatar through a demi-couture quintessential Spanish design collection which is very flamenco in style,” he explained.

As an important part of Shop Qatar offerings, Resta also conducted a three-day fashion design masterclass for fashion connoisseurs in Qatar. He expressed utter satisfaction for the level of interest and appreciation from the participants coming from various ages and backgrounds.
Lebanese designer Fouad Sarkis, one of the most recognised names in fashion in the Arab world, revealed he would be displaying couture glamour-retro collection comprising 16 looks.

“I had a fashion show here five years ago. I have more than 40 shops around the world, two of which are here in Doha,” said Sarkis.
Another Lebanese designer taking part at tonight’s event is Nour Fathallah, who will be showcasing ten pieces from her S18 collection.
“My collection is simple yet refined with distinct cuts which can’t be found in many dresses. I worked with different fabrics and soft unique summer colours for this glamour demi-couture collection,” said Fathallah.

Sarkis and Fathallah have their production house in Turkey and their designs are present in Arab countries as well as USA and France, among others.

Meanwhile, organisers are optimistic this year’s Shop Qatar will be better than last first edition with the huge interest generated by the various activities in the past two weeks.

“It’s progressing really well. There are many activities this year with high public engagement. The level of interest among the people is evident in the high attendance at the activities during the Bollywood Week,” Alshaima Alshaikh, Head of Tourism Events and Festival Organisation Section at Qatar Tourism Authority told the media.

The fashion shows and concerts in the past two weeks have seen high attendance and tomorrow’s concert of Grammy Award-winning EDM pop duo The Chainsmokers is no exception with tickets almost sold out.