David Beckham visits VCUarts Qatar to learn more about design for sport

VCUarts Qatar’s Fashion Design students are getting into the spirit of FIFA World Cup 2022 by creating exciting new apparel designs inspired by sport and movement within Qatar’s cultural context.As part of the celebration of sports attire and the World Cup countdown, the campus hosted international sports personality and World Cup ambassador, David Beckham recently to listen in on the students’ presentations on their sports-inspired creations.Beckham was interested to see the innovative designs, including some that integrated nanotechnology and Vitamin D capture into the design, and to learn more about the students’ design process, a statement explained.Fashion Department Chair, Chris Fink, said: “Our students have designed a collection of sports inspired clothing unique to the culture and fashion of the region in celebration of the World Cup.”The designs considered not only creativity and celebration of the World Cup theme, but also functionality for freedom of movement, ease of wear, and appropriateness for light to moderate exercise. “Using their own personal creative vision, each fashion design student has transformed traditional clothing into a unique expression of celebration and movement for the World Cup hosted by Qatar,” said Fink.Of the 14 designs presented, seven were selected to be made into prototypes and showcased during and after the World Cup as part of a larger initiative to design and develop apparel to encourage more women and girls’ to be physically active.VCUarts Qatar has been an integral partner in the emerging design industry ecosystem in Qatar, with almost 25 years experience in educating young designers in the Mena region.