M7 showcased 21 Qatar-based brands, featured 150 designers from six continents and 50 countries

Twenty one Qatar-based brands showcased their designs on the global stage with support from M7, Qatar’s hub for fashion, design, and technology. The show featured 150 designers from six continents and 50 countries, represented on the world’s biggest catwalk. More than 20,000 attendees at the Qatar Fashion United by CR Runway Show presented by Qatar Creates, were enthralled by the show that was held at 974 Stadium on December 16. 

The Qatar Fashion United by CR Runway Show connected cultures like never before, showcasing a modern embrace of tradition and heritage, envisioned by Qatar Museums Chairperson, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. It is curated by visionary French fashion editor Carine Roitfeld and directed by Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld.

The 21 Qatar brands included Aldukan, Aliya Al Obaidly, Tamader AlSultan, Drizzle, Ghada Al Buainain, Hairaat jewellery, HAMADIS, Harlienz, Kaltham’s Pavilion, Lorenaa Michelle, Maryam Al Darwish, Mhefhef, Muna Saad, Naila Al Thani, TRZI, TIIYA, Waad Designs, WADHA, 1309, Yasmin Mansour and Wit Noiz. In an enchanting combination of traditional pearl diving heritage and modern-day couture, Aliya Al Obaidly and Harlienz presented their special performance, titled “Where the Sand Touches the Sea.” HAMADIS, a luxury abaya brand founded by Jawaher and Aysha Al Hamadi, presented its Off-White. Aldukan presented a piece that captured the essence of Qatar and its traditional roots, inspired by the Qataf – Qatar’s national flower. Drizzle, founded by Al Anoud Al Hedfa, presented the perfect blend of modern elegance and traditional touches with a classy blazer jacket, trousers, and head cover. TRZI featured a structured suit complete with a flowy, soft abaya inspired by the traditional bisht - with traditional zari bisht embroidery on the edges.

1309 presented a dress inspired by the strength and resilience of women, paired with a remarkable headpiece designed and worked on with jewellery designer Nada Al Sulaiti. Hairaat showcased its diverse brand design language on the runway, accessorizing four brands’ looks; Aldukan, TRZI, 1309 and Drizzle, with pieces such as ‘Hilali’ inspired from traditional hilali with modern touch, and ‘Nafla’ to honour the designer’s great grandmother. Tamader AlSultan, an eponymic brand, presented a blouse with a head cover, trousers, and coat, a look inspired by Qatar’s landscape for the colours and embroidery. Wit Noiz, a contemporary sustainable brand by designer Aldana Al Misned, created ‘A Common Thread’, a sophisticated garment combining feminine and masculine elements of traditional Arab attire (Battoulah and Igal) in a modern way, connecting Arabs across borders. Ghada Al Buainain accessorised two designers on the runway, Tamader AlSultan and Wit Noiz, with their eponymic brand’s pieces designed for the contemporary woman. Mhefhef, a fashion brand founded by fashion and textile designer Mashael Al Nuaimi, presented a culturally-rooted dress made with permanent henna paint.  Kaltham’s Pavilion, a fine jewellery brand founded by Kaltham Al Majid, accessorised Mhefhef’s look with a five-piece set inspired by Qatari culture. 

Lorenaa Michelle presented ‘Galaxy’, a piece combining two different textures to reflect as one. Lauren imagines that a woman wearing this piece will feel grounded in her roots and able to add cultural diversity through simple details. Maryam Al Darwish presented a modern yet modest ensemble at the show, including a long abaya, headscarf, trousers, blouse, and gloves. Muna Saad founded by Muna Al Sulaiti, presented a modern, abaya-inspired ensemble featuring an elegant white trench coat with a large shoulder bow. Naila Al Thani presented a garment made from upcycled damaged textiles locally collected from bisht tailors in Qatar. TIIYA, founded by Alanoud Al Attiya and Shaikha Al Thani, presented a gown featuring individual handmade butterflies that commemorate the year 2022, when the World Cup was hosted in Qatar. 

Waad Designs presented a design inspired by the beautiful and delicate sand dunes of Qatar. WADHA, a contemporary luxury brand founded by Wadha Al Hajri, presented a design inspired by the strength and elegance of Qatari women. Yasmin Mansour presented a dress inspired by Qatar’s coast, with elements representing the sea and sailing boats.