Aisha Al Naama (left) and Maqdeem Al Naama
DOHA: Local contemporary fashion company, Maqdeem, shared their brand’s inspirational success story at this year’s Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition.
Young creative Qatari founders and sisters, Maqdeem Al Naama and Aisha Al Naama took to the stage, answering questions that aim to encourage and motivate aspiring local designers to start their own label.
Looking the picture of modern elegance in their own designs, the sisters discussed how their brand’s journey began in 2015; their passion to empower women with confidence through fashion and the challenges they have faced and overcome to enjoy commercial success.
This journey was not simple, both girls have full-time jobs and demanding schedules yet their determination to bring modernity into traditional conservative clothing has paid off and demand for their collections is continually rising so much that they will soon be launching their biggest collection yet.
Talking about their brand to The Peninsula, Maqdeem Al Naama and Aisha Al Naama, co-founders of Maqdeem said: “As soon as I graduated from Qatar University having no fashion designing background, I came up with this plan of launching our unique clothing line named “Maqdeem”.
“I always had a passion of fashion and interior-designing which led me to open doors of a boutique to non-locals and locals. I first started with designing colourful abayas, kaftans, t-shirts and sweaters in collaboration with a local artist. We display in different boutiques which are located in The Pearl-Qatar and Mall of Qatar. Our each collection is inspired by our culture and heritage.”
“We have really enjoyed being part of the discussion panel at Heya and being part of this unique event that brings so many businesses together under one roof. It has given us a platform to share our story and demonstrates that hard work and determination goes a long way to ensuring success,” they said about participating in Heya.
Maqdeem blends modern style, comfort and Arab cultural values, and a small selection of their collection can be viewed at their outlets. Maqdeem are taking custom-orders for their abayas. From May, they will also be taking pre-orders for their summer collection. This much anticipated modest-dress summer collection is inspired by travel and nature and will be their largest collection of ready to wear women’s clothing to date.
Maqdeem embraces rich Qatari tradition and culture. The name refers to a “Sinbook” an iconic traditional dhow from our region that has embarked on numerous journeys across uncharted waters, that have embedded in us our love for travelling and exploring different cultures. This dhow carries great untold stories of hardship, courage, strength and survival.
