We’re a week away from one of the region’s most exciting fashion events of the year. The annual non-profit organisation, Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA), is back once again in search of the MENA region’s most talented new young designers. Ever since its inception in 2018, FTA has managed to find and nurture some of the most visionary fashion voices of the Middle East and North Africa – shining a spotlight on up-and-coming talent worth investing in from the region – and beyond.
Set to take place at the National Museum of Qatar under the patronage and presence of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser from October 26, the FTA ceremony will announce the selected winners, where judges will assess a shortlist of designers (a total of 24, to be exact) in categories including Evening-to-Wear, Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Jewellery, Debut Talent and Guest Country (Turkey), each of whom will present their collections before the panel, before deciding upon the winner.
With every category crowning just one winner, the recipient will receive financial prize money and a personalised one-year mentoring program delivered by FTA’s retail partners and a global network of industry professionals, covering a variety of topics relevant to the business of fashion. The winners will also receive mentorship from MATCHESFASHION and will be able to carry their collections on its e-commerce platform, whereas Harrods will mentor the Evening-Wear category winner and carry their collection in-store; Bicester Village will offer a bespoke mentorship, Maison De Mode will focus on a mentorship surrounding sustainability, and Maison Pyramide will provide winners with showroom representation during Paris Fashion Week as well as PR consultancy services.
Who’ll be on the judging panel? This year, the level has gone up a notch with some of the industry’s heavyweights including Tiffany & Co.’s Ruba Abu-Nimah, Business of Fashion‘s Imran Amed, Roger Vivier’s Gherardo Felloni, Oscar de la Renta’s Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, Vetements’ Guram Gvasalia, Amina Muaddi, Zuhair Murad, Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli, Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing, Gaia Repossi and Iris Van Herpen.
On the occasion of Qatar Creates, a cultural initiative conceived to promote and celebrate the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar, Miu Miu has also partnered up with the FTA. The awards ceremony will feature a headline music performer presented by Miu Miu, in addition to hosting a Miu Miu Club at the FTA after-party following the ceremony, on October 26th.
For more information on FTA and the prize, visit Fashion Trust Arabia.
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