Fashion Trust Arabia Debuts in Doha
Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA), a non-profit fashion fund launched in September 2018, aims to find and nurture gifted artists and fashion designers from the Middle East and North Africa. Its inaugural prize award ceremony took place in Doha, gathering a number of royals, celebrities, famed couturiers and top models, all coming together to support talented designers who are seeking mentorship or funding. Thanks to the efforts of FTA Honorary Chair Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and Co-Chairs Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani and founder of Fashion Trust Tania Fares, this one-of-a-kind initiative attracted over 250 submissions from across the MENA region, leading to 25 finalists.
A judging panel consisting of renowned international figures from the fashion, film, and media world, including Zuhair Murad, Victoria Beckham, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Carla Bruni, collectively reviewed the designs of the finalists and selected six winners in five different design categories.
Four out of the six winners are Beirut-based designers. These include Krikor Jabotian, winner of the eveningwear award; designers Salim Azzam and Roni Helou, who are both winners of the ready-to-wear category; and Mukhi Sisters, who won the jewelry award. Winner of the handbag category is the Egyptian brand Sabry Marouf while the Moroccan label Zyne won the award for footwear.
The six winners will each receive a prize of $200,000 as well as mentorship by leaders in the fashion industry to help support and propel their work on an international level.
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