The 13^th edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition attracted more than 15 000 visitors throughout the 5-day event, a 15% increase year-on-year organisers have announced.

Bringing together fashion enthusiasts and influencers, families and aspiring designers, this year the exhibition showcased more international brands of Abayas and modest fashion collections than ever before with more than 300 local, regional and international brands attending from over 18 countries. Heya was declared a success by all participants.

This year saw the largest number of established and emerging Qatari designers, with more than 190 of exhibitors coming from Qatar. New partnership with Bedaya Center to advise aspiring young Qatari entrepreneurs on their professional path, along with previously forged partnerships with Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQ) and Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC), provided visitors with valuable expertise in everything from fashion marketing to finance, to how to get a fashion business off the ground. In addition, adding depth to this year’s programme were the collaborations with the Ecuadorian, Hungarian and Turkish Embassies to help nurture and develop local design talent.

Beyond the unique shopping experience, Heya’s packed schedule of 11 workshops, 5 forums and 4 multi-brand show stopping fashion shows drew huge crowds seeking knowledge, guidance and inspiration. The event displayed the latest collection of abayas, kaftans, jalabiyas, evening gowns, veils and other accessories as well as perfumery and make-up.

Highlights included a special appearance by renowned Indian Celebrity TV stars and influencers, Krystel D’Souza and Sana Khan who hosted an insightful forum on ‘What’s In and Out on Social Media’, along with Omani influencer Areej Balushi, giving exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to meet with the Bollywood celebrities and ask questions around fashion, style and trends on social media in the fashion industry. In addition, VCUQ hosted a series of workshops and forums developed to teach the basics of fashion design.

The official opening of Heya was launched by Her Excellency, Dr. Sheikha Aisha Al Thani, philanthropist and supporter of education and entrepreneurship in Qatar, with the attendance of more than 60 representatives from Embassies in Doha including the U.S., Japan, Italy, Ecuador, Hungary and France, all to support the developing fashion industry in Qatar.

Closing out the five day event was the exclusive Awards Ceremony with the top two prestigious awards going to Al Khoose for the Visitor’s Choice Award, and La Cremerie for the Exhibitor’s Choice Award.

Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition was brought to visitors by Qatar Tourism Authority and delivered by partners Design Creationz, who put on a world-class fashion exhibition.

Jawaher Al-Khuzaei, Acting Director of Communications and Marketing at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), said: “The 13th edition of Heya Exhibition comes to an end after five days full of activities, fashion shows and workshops held under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, with an excellent participation of Qatari, Arab and international brands. The exhibition was a great success in terms of the number of participants, activities and the number of visitors, which is a sign of the position the exhibition has now as one of the most anticipated events in Qatar and the region.”

“The Qatar Tourism Authority supports private initiatives in organizing innovative events locally, thing that enhances the diversity of the events’ program, as supporting the private sector remains one of the core objectives within the Authority’s strategy”, she added.

Proud partners of this year’s Heya exhibition include Qatar Airways, Maison de Joelle, Shangri-La Hotel Doha, Ezdan Hotel, IDAM by Alain Ducasse, Guerlain Spa and Violetta Events.

For more information on the 13^th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition please visit www.heya.qa.

Cover image courtesy of Heya

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