Fashion Trust Arabia has become one of the Middle East’s most influential cultural engines. Since launching in 2018 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and the leadership of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani and Tania Fares, the non-profit has transformed the careers of emerging designers across the MENA region. For many talents, the FTA Prize is the moment everything shifts. It brings mentorship, global visibility, and—perhaps most critically—a seat at the same table as the industry’s most powerful voices. In a region where fashion is advancing at its own exhilarating pace, FTA remains a central force that links designers to an international network of experts who understand the value of new perspectives, cultural heritage, and unfiltered creative expression.
This year, as FTA gears up to host its seventh edition on November 22, 2025, the organization has revealed its full judging panel, and it is a powerhouse group drawn from creative studios, ateliers, luxury maisons, major media platforms, and influential global tastemakers. They will evaluate 21 finalists competing across seven categories, including Eveningwear, Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Jewelry, Franca Sozzani Debut Talent, Guest Country: India, and Fashion Tech.
The 2025 jury reads like a map of the industry’s most impactful minds. Daniel Roseberry, Gisele Bündchen, Veronica Leoni of Calvin Klein, Zuhair Murad, Giambattista Valli, Bethann Hardison, Remo Ruffini, Christian Louboutin, Arnaud Vaillant and Sébastien Meyer of Coperni, Imran Amed, Viktor and Rolf, Charles Rosier, Rabih Kayrouz, Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Francesco Risso, Caroline Scheufele, Guram Gvasalia, Roopal Patel, Duran Lantink, Yoon Ahn, Natalia Vodianova, Paloma Elsesser, Amina Muaddi, Stefano Pilati, and The Attico’s Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini will all take their place on the panel. It is an extraordinary group that reflects the Prize’s commitment to wide-ranging expertise and diverse creative viewpoints.
What makes the FTA jury so crucial is that its work does not end with selecting winners. Each chosen designer receives a financial grant of up to 200,000 dollars, mentorship from international specialists, and access to retail partnerships that directly propel their businesses forward. For finalists, the experience is both a masterclass and a launchpad, offering tools that are often out of reach for independent brands.
This year’s edition also returns with a strong roster of sponsors whose support keeps FTA’s ambitions robust. Visit Qatar steps in as the Diamond Sponsor, reinforcing its investment in creative industries that deepen the country’s cultural impact. As Platinum Sponsor, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre joins FTA as the Guest Country partner for India, a collaboration that highlights the shared value placed on craftsmanship and cross-cultural exchange. At the Gold level, Place Vendôme Qatar, Galeries Lafayette Doha, and Chopard continue their support of emerging talent and their role in nurturing the region’s fashion ecosystem.
On the retail front, FTA strengthens its global presence through two strategic partnerships. Harrods remains the international retail partner, carrying the collections of next year’s winners across Ready-to-Wear, Eveningwear, Accessories, and Jewelry in its London flagship and hosting celebratory launches in Dubai. Regionally, Ounass returns as the MENA-based partner for the second consecutive year. The platform will showcase the winners’ collections and help designers reach a wider audience across the Gulf.
Together, the judges, sponsors, and partners form a network that amplifies what FTA has championed since day one: that Arab creatives deserve global visibility, and that their work is not simply relevant but essential to the future of fashion. With the 2025 Prize shaping up to be one of the most dynamic yet, all eyes now turn to Doha, where the next wave of designers will step into the spotlight and take their place among the industry’s most promising names.
ALSO READ: WHO’S IN FOR FASHION TRUST ARABIA 2025? MEET THE FINALISTS.
