Heya Arabian Fashion Expo features high profile talks on fashion business

Qatar’s most anticipated exhibition for contemporary Arabian fashion provides opportunities to aspiring designers and entrepreneurs to learn from industry leaders.

The Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition returns this year with its 17th edition, presenting a series of events showcasing the latest in Arabian and modest designs, as well as valuable insights on the business of fashion. A popular platform for Qatari designers to showcase their latest collections, this year’s edition includes a series of talks covering topics from design to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Qatar Business Events Corporation CEO Ahmed Al Obaidli commented: “Heya is bringing together local talent to educate and entertain audiences in Qatar, and to offer up and coming designers the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, while contributing to the economy. We are pleased to present a diverse and inspirational programme of talks this year, in collaboration with our partners across the public and private sectors, with the aim of developing synergies between designers, entrepreneurs, aficionados, and students, and furthering Qatar’s burgeoning fashion business.”

Each day has features talks, providing opportunities to network, learn and be inspired by the best of Arabian and modest fashion.

The opening day included a session by Maha Al Sulaiti, Acting Director of M7, a creative startup hub established by Qatar Museums. The session highlighted M7’s role in cultivating opportunities for small businesses and empowering designers to explore, collaborate, and grow into successful entrepreneurs.

Led by Amal Ameen, Founder & CEO of Amici Di Moda, along with media personalities Ola Al Fares, Asma Al Hammadi and Al Ftoon Al-Janahi, “Abaya Talk” focused on modest fashion’s role in shaping the industry into a significant retail sector, and how it has helped empower women. A talk show entitled “Flowers & Fashion” by Khadeja Ahmad Albuhaliqa, Co-founder of H.E.N.K.S gardens, celebrated the role of flowers in inspiring designers throughout the years.

On Day two of the exhibition, Dana Riad, Founder and CEO of Dana Riad House of Fashion, hosted a discussion entitled "From Concept to Runway, behind the Scenes" while Harriet Gyamfuah, PR director of Creative Amplified and Abla Sebak, CEO of Noir Group, spoke about the power of public relations in fashion.

Day three of Heya featured a talk on scaling up your fashion business, focusing on the opportunities, programmes and entities that support budding fashion entrepreneurs. Panellists included Aysha Al Romaihi, Head of Strategic Initiatives and Business Collaborations at Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) and Maha Al Sulaiti, Acting Director of M7.

As with many of QNTC’s exhibitions, young talent played a prominent role at HEYA. A talk on "What is it like to study fashion in Qatar", brought together alumni of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts), Roda al Marzouqi, Jude Zahran, and Lauren Morell. Sustainability, of great import to Qatar, was also a key theme, with a discussion of "Sustainable Luxury Fashion". Panellists included Sonali Raman from Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar, Sakala A. Debrass and Kim Wyatt, with the talk drawing many attendees.

Chris Fink, Chair of Fashion Design at VCUarts Qatar commented: “We are thrilled to be part of Qatar’s premier fashion event again this year. For close to two decades, we’ve been partnering with Heya, giving our students and alumni a chance to be part of the growing Qatari fashion industry, gain hands-on experience and meet designers, planners, influencers and buyers.”

“Marketing through Photography” by Aljazi Alhajri, Creative Content Creator, will give a general overview on sales and marketing, how to increase your business’ exposure and your Instagram engagement. Fatma Ghanem, CEO of Fatma Ghanem Academy, will cover “Grow Your Business, Knowing Yourself,” discussing how to cultivate passion in your business.

The five-day exhibition, organised by Qatar Business Events Corporation (QBEC), a subsidiary of Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), runs until 1 December, with representation from more than 150 Qatari brands.

Those who have not yet visited the exhibition still have a chance to do so. Three more talks are scheduled for 30 November. A talk on "Women Empowerment in Social Media Era" will be presented by Zunira Malik, CEO of What’s Up Doha, Mahdiya Farook, Founder of Social Panther Group, and Conchita Ponce, Founder of Future 318.

For more information on the 17th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition please visit www.heya.qa.

Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition home-grown talent