By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Young fashion designers from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have debuted their creations at the eighth Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
One of the new features at this year’s exhibition, SheikhaHub World Islamic Fashion Show (SWIFF) showcased Islamic fashion designs by Asean designers, including Dian Pelangi (Indonesia), Luly Selb (Singapore), Vinn Patararin (Thailand), Na Forrer (Brunei) and Danz Design (Malaysia).
The young designers emerged from Asean Designer Project, a programme curated by SheikhaHub for Asean Entrepreneur Summit in which upcoming young designers are given a platform to create modest clothing designs under celebrity mentors in a reality TV show.
Italian fashion designer Lucia Russo’s work also featured at the show. Earlier Russo, who is behind the emerging Italian brand L Rousseau Urban Couture, shared her insights on textiles and patterns.
Models strutted the Heya runway in stunning designs, highlighting Islamic fashion’s beauty, elegance and modernity as well as creativity and diversity of concepts of designers from various cultures.
Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority and Design Creationz, the exhibition features latest collection of abayas, jalabiyas, kaftans, shaylas and evening gowns by 260 designers displayed in 273 boutique stands on a 10,000sqm exhibition space.
Apart from the exhibition and fashion shows, other aspects of the week-long event are workshops, lectures and panel discussions, including SWIFF’s panel discussion on ‘The importance of Networking and Media in Fashion Today’ held on Friday.
The expo for women is open until Wednesday from 1pm to 11pm.
The Peninsula
