From collectible sneakers to exclusive dresses, Qatar 365 has met some of the renowned designers, collectors and fashion entrepreneurs behind some of the most popular fashion items in a country with a high demand for luxury clothing.
Popular fashion landscape designers
Qatari designers have left their mark on the fashion scene.
Little did chemical engineer Layla Al Ansari know that her hobby would turn into a successful evening wear and wedding dress business with thirteen employees.
“Fashion is my passion. I am happy and proud of my team. We all have good ideas to add to our designs based on our culture and creativity,” she told Qatar 365.
For the unique Doha Dreams project, Layla created a dress inspired by the Qatar Museums Dior Exhibition and traditional weaving techniques using palm leaves.
“Everything here inspires me, the culture, my friends, my family, the sea and the desert, everything,” she said.
One of Doha’s most exclusive stores, Galleries Lafayette, now sells Layla’s limited edition designs. Hissa Haddad, whose shoes are designed in Doha and made in Italy, also has exhibitions there.
Inspired by Arab architecture, art and culture, she created her exclusive collection of shoes uniquely embellished with embroidery, pearls and precious stones.
Amal Ameen: A talented fashion entrepreneur
Whether it’s handpicking a shirt from a young Colombian designer or cultivating new, local talent to feature in her boutiques, Qatari entrepreneur Amal Ameen has truly built a fashion empire.
This year she presented a new concept at Doha’s Place Vendome mall, Amici De Moda, which combines art and fashion.
“What I’m trying to do is put everything under one roof,” Amal Ameen told Qatar 365.
“I am creating this mini store from lingerie, perfumes, ready-to-wear, evening wear, nightgowns, dresses, haute couture accessories and sunglasses.
“For me, design is functionality.”
Ms. Ameen began networking in the fashion industry by attending fashion weeks in Paris and other cities to find the right designers and brands.
With a slogan like “Where art meets fashion,” she has created what she calls a fashion gallery, where designers can collaborate and newcomers can be inspired.
A rapidly growing Doha sneaker scene
New concept stores dedicated to rare, limited-edition sneakers are popping up all over town. Sneaker collector and social media influencer @itsjbr prefers not to be known online, but his famous friends know who he is.
Virgil Abloh opened his Figures of Speech exhibition in Doha in November, just two weeks before his untimely death. @itsjbr convinced him to sign sneakers with “Virgil was in Doha” which helped his legacy live on.
Another Qatari ‘big beast’ is Abdulla Al Kaabi, who founded Loft. Al Kaabi collects fashionable items and follows trends. Its concept store also offers luxury collections and pieces. Abdulla explains, “although our culture is strong, it is growing and we have mixed it with traditional clothing.”
Across town, London-based PresentedBy recently opened a location in Msheireb, Doha’s Design District.
Its founder, Ridvane Ettoubi, told Qatar 365 that he aimed to create an element of theater for consumers.
“I think it’s a hidden gem in terms of the elements of design and sophistication and appreciation for the finer things in life,” he said.
As streetwear culture is slowly gaining acceptance in the country, Qatar’s youth continue to balance their love of flashy sneakers with their respect for tradition.
