An array of collections from three exhibitions at M7 provides fashion connoisseurs and enthusiasts in Qatar an opportunity to draw inspiration, igniting creativity, further collaboration, and environmental awareness.
The Across Borders: Textile Heritage pop-up exhibition, designed by Lauren Michelle Morell, along with weaving collaborator Sarah Hannibal, puts a spotlight on Qatari Bedouin and indigenous American textile traditions through cross-cultural garments, raising awareness of the environmental impacts of fast fashion.
This exhibition features “a collection of 10 innovative, upcycled garments” such as pillow covers, scraps, and curtains, among other materials that “draw from the classic Qatari Al-Sadu weaving and the indigenous American weaving patters”.
“The works feature bold, geometric designs and acknowledge the natural creation processes with local available resources,” the organisers said. “In contrast to modern fashion production, the garments embody traditional environmentally friendly textiles while promoting the legacy of these zero-waste processes.”
“The series invites the viewer to trace the traditions of Qatar and the Americas and reflect on sustainable sourcing and application of textile and fabrics,” the organisers added. “The exhibition focuses on heritage preservation, sustainability, and diversity, achieving the ethos of cultures in harmony.”
The exhibition, sponsored by the US embassy in Qatar and the US State Department, marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and the US.
It will conclude on August 30.
The second edition of Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition, which runs until August 31 at M7, highlights the works of seven local designers: Mashael al-Naimi, Mona Saad, Alia al-Obaidly, Nada al-Sulaiti, Maryam al-Majid, Laila al-Ansari, and Haitham Sharrouf.
The organisers noted that following the success of the first edition, the participating designers from Qatar “were tasked to reimagine luxury and aesthetics in the lens of a local contemporary designer”.
Some of the collections include al-Sulaiti’s designs, such as accessories – from belts and scarfs to brooches and sunglasses – aimed at preserving Qatari heritage while reflecting “the taste of the modern woman”.
Al-Obaidly’s design, meanwhile, showcases “a romantic bridal gown that tells the story of pearl diving, one of Qatar’s most treasured traditions”, while al-Majid’s jewellery design reflects her diverse background and mix of two rich cultures: Qatar and India.
M7, in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, also showcases Najla al-Eida’s collection at the lobby.
“I feel like my collection screams ‘This is me, and these are my thoughts,” the 2022 Bachelor of Fine Art in Fashion Design graduate said. “My collection Confessions of a Local, offers a platform for expression under the uniform of the thobe and the abaya. I used the essence of my culture to create an altered khaleeji anti-form.”
This exhibition features “a collection of 10 innovative, upcycled garments” such as pillow covers, scraps, and curtains, among other materials that “draw from the classic Qatari Al-Sadu weaving and the indigenous American weaving patters”.
“The works feature bold, geometric designs and acknowledge the natural creation processes with local available resources,” the organisers said. “In contrast to modern fashion production, the garments embody traditional environmentally friendly textiles while promoting the legacy of these zero-waste processes.”
“The series invites the viewer to trace the traditions of Qatar and the Americas and reflect on sustainable sourcing and application of textile and fabrics,” the organisers added. “The exhibition focuses on heritage preservation, sustainability, and diversity, achieving the ethos of cultures in harmony.”
The exhibition, sponsored by the US embassy in Qatar and the US State Department, marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and the US.
It will conclude on August 30.
The second edition of Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition, which runs until August 31 at M7, highlights the works of seven local designers: Mashael al-Naimi, Mona Saad, Alia al-Obaidly, Nada al-Sulaiti, Maryam al-Majid, Laila al-Ansari, and Haitham Sharrouf.
The organisers noted that following the success of the first edition, the participating designers from Qatar “were tasked to reimagine luxury and aesthetics in the lens of a local contemporary designer”.
Some of the collections include al-Sulaiti’s designs, such as accessories – from belts and scarfs to brooches and sunglasses – aimed at preserving Qatari heritage while reflecting “the taste of the modern woman”.
Al-Obaidly’s design, meanwhile, showcases “a romantic bridal gown that tells the story of pearl diving, one of Qatar’s most treasured traditions”, while al-Majid’s jewellery design reflects her diverse background and mix of two rich cultures: Qatar and India.
M7, in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, also showcases Najla al-Eida’s collection at the lobby.
“I feel like my collection screams ‘This is me, and these are my thoughts,” the 2022 Bachelor of Fine Art in Fashion Design graduate said. “My collection Confessions of a Local, offers a platform for expression under the uniform of the thobe and the abaya. I used the essence of my culture to create an altered khaleeji anti-form.”
