Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, a showcase of abayas and traditional Arabian attire, will return for its 13th edition this month.
The event will feature a display of more than 300 local, regional and international brands, including more than 190 brands from Qatar, the organisers have said in a statement.
Held under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the show will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from April 25 to 29.
The event is delivered by Qatari company Design Creationz, with support from Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA). Representing a 75% increase in local designers from the previous Spring/Summer 2017 edition, the event is a “celebration of local, Pan-Arab and international designer talents where the latest fashions will be on display, catering to a growing demand for modest and Islamic styles in a fashion-forward market,” the statement notes.
The organisers have said the exhibition will this year showcase “more international brands of abayas and modest fashion collections than ever before” with 18 countries attending, including neighbouring Kuwait and Oman as well as India, Turkey, Ecuador, Iraq, China, Hungary, Lebanon, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco, Hong Kong, UK, Spain and Italy. Numerous fashion shows, workshops and conversations with fashion icons will be part of this edition of Heya. The organisers have announced partnerships to continue the events legacy of bringing innovative ways to support entrepreneurs.
Through collaborations with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar and Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC), as well as guidance in partnership with Bedaya Centre to advise aspiring young Qatari entrepreneurs on their professional path, Heya will provide its visitors with “valuable expertise in everything — from fashion marketing to finance —and getting a fashion business off the ground,” the statement points out.
Both exhibitors and visitors will be treated to a conversation with world-famous Turkish designer Dilek Hanif, who will host an inspirational talk about her journey to the top of the fashion industry. Designers from Ecuador and Hungary will also take part in this year’s edition through a special partnership with the embassies of the two countries.
The 13th edition of Heya will offer shoppers and visitors an assortment of collections, from high-street apparel, couture and luxury, to the latest modest fashion evening gowns, leather accessories, as well as perfumery and make-up.
Offering a flavour of Arabian heritage, the Spring/Summer 2018 show will see returning brands such as Debaj and Al Motahajiba, as well as new exhibitors that include Neshel by Najeba, Sahar Al Hamoud and S STyle from Kuwait; and Romani Design, a brand from Hungary, who will host a forum on how fashion can be a media for cultural expression.
Heya will offer guests this year an Italian pavilion, curated by Valeria Mangani, former vice-president of the Italian Chamber for High Fashion. The ‘Made in Italy Luxury’ pavilion will feature numerous unique Italian luxury brands. Heya is delivered by Design Creationz with the support of QTA as part of its efforts to empower the private sector to attract and host global events.
Jawaher al-Khuzaei, acting director of Communications and Marketing at QTA, Design Creationz spokesperson Esraa Abel, Aysha al-Romaihi, Business Development manager at QBIC, and Reem al-Suwaidi, general manager of Bedaya, gave the details of the event and stressed its significance.
Heya is open for women only except on the opening day (April 25), during which men can accompany family members. Children below the age of 13 years cannot enter the exhibition. Partners include Qatar Airways, Maison de Joelle, Shangri-La Hotel Doha, Ezdan Hotel, IDAM by Alain Ducasse, Guerlain Spa and Violetta Events.
Officials at a press conference on the Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition.
