Arabian fashion is respected worldwide: designer Oporto

Arabian fashion has not only become popular but also gained respect worldwide, renowned fashion designer Daniel Oporto has said.
“Fashion in the Arab world has evolved so much in the past 10 years, with the contribution of designers like Zuhair Murad and Ellie Saab who broke into the Hollywood market,” the California-based designer told Gulf Times. “They simply went viral and now, Arabian fashion is respected worldwide,” he stressed.
Oporto, one of the lead designers at Mall of Qatar’s (MoQ) first-ever Spring/Summer Fashion Festival, held from March 22 to 31, presented his Qatari-inspired suits collection dubbed as ‘Tamim.’ Such unique collection, he noted, was designed especially for Qatar and for its weather conditions, having “the right colours for men and women.” “I prepared this collection inspired in the colours of Qatar and Doha their Turquoise water colours, the flag, which has white and burgundy,” he said.
The one-of-its-kind event aimed to showcase the latest spring and summer collections of MoQ retailers and international designers.
“The abaya is my favourite piece of garment,” observed Oporto, who designs Mark Wahlberg suits for the red carpet at Oscars and dresses other celebrities such as Leonardo di Caprio, George Clooney and Placido Domingo. Oporto was invited by his friend Jassim al-Ali with the latter’s agency Martians to join the team as an organiser and participant as well, featuring his clothing line ‘Oporto Couture.’
He met with MoQ officials and helped build the team before deciding to travel to Istanbul, Turkey to prepare a collection designed for the fashion festival in Doha. “The skyscrapers, while you drive through the city at night and the different colours, are breathtaking and so inspirational and it helped a lot since it (collection) was a spring summer collection,” the fashion designer recalled.
He also lauded the venue saying “the Martians team,” along with MoQ, made what he described as “an amazing stage” where everything is easy set up. “Basically anything looks good on that stage, their sound system and technology is simply wow,” he added.
Oporto first came to Doha in 2009 and stayed for at least two weeks to visit his sister, who is married to a Bolivian Italian pilot.
“In 2013 I visited Doha again, invited for the film festival held at Katara – the Cultural Village,” he recounted.
“Ever since I moved to Doha, partially I spent six months and six months between the US, Europe and South America,” he said.
Oporto described Qatari culture and traditions and the city (Doha) as unique and genuine in every way, “which makes them stand out the lifestyle.”
“One day they are driving a Rolls Royce, and then the other day they are in the desert eating on the floor with their hands, but at the same time they still look 100%,” he observed. “They are kind and helpful, strict with their rules yet humble and welcoming.”
He also thanked Qatar and His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani saying he is “a big fan of his brave personality and it is my honour to be in his amazing country.” Oporto stressed that he is also thankful to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and Education Above All Foundation, whom he considers as a fashion icon in the Arab world. “She is an example of class and elegance,” the fashion designer stressed.  “I also want to thank MoQ for hosting me, the agency that invited me, the Martians,” he said.