The search is on for the Middle East and North Africa’s Next Fashion Design Star on MBC 4 with Qatar as the backdrop
United Development Company and Doha/Amsterdam-based Zoul Projects, will stage Qatar’s first international fashion week at the region’s most glamorous address ‘The Pearl-Qatar’ from November 7 to 10, 2012.
In another exciting development, running in conjunction with The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week will be the culmination of MENA’s Next Top Designer – a search for the region’s newest and freshest design talent’ to be aired on MBC4. The ground-breaking show will have as its judge world famous designer Zuhair Murad who has dressed some of the world’s most fashionable and beautiful women.
Some of the world’s best known designers as well as Qatari and regional designers will participate in the international event which will focus attention on Doha and its growing role in the fashion world.
The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week will see stunning catwalk shows and other VIP events over the four -day celebration of international and regional fashion expertise and the future of design, all centered on the Island.
Several Qatar-based designers will also showcase their work during The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week, garnering international attention and the capacity to build their base and seek new markets.
The world’s fashion media and other high profile visitors will descend on Doha for the event, which will be held at the spectacular The Pearl-Qatar and become a much anticipated yearly show on the international fashion calendar.
Several high profile designers have already committed to taking part in the inaugural event, which will establish Qatar as a new fashion capital.
Created by Zoulikha El Fassi and Zoul Projects, the fashion reality TV show MENA’s Next Top Designer, airing on the Pan Arab Free-To-Air Satcaster, MBC4, will chart the progress of emerging design talent with The Pearl-Qatar as the stunning backdrop.
The show it will see high profile judges including Qatari businesswoman Aisha Al Fardan and showcase up and coming designers. Unlike other shows, the focus will also be on honing the business acumen of the contestants as well as their design skills.
The 11 part series will see sought after designer Zuhair Murad as “Master Judge” and contestants will be drawn from around the MENA region with the finale held on November 10, 2012 during The Pearl- Qatar Fashion Week. The soon-to-open St. Regis Doha, Qatar’s newest luxury hotel, will serve as official home for international fashion designers and fashion media attending the events.
Lebanese-born international fashion designer Zuhair Murad’s designs have been worn by some of the world’s most famous and glamorous women including Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera. His extensive and critically acclaimed lines include haute couture, ready to-wear, accessories and eyewear. He has boutiques in Beirut, Paris and Milan.
The winner of the season will win a store at the Pearl – Qatar, a start up budget and mentorship offered by Zoul Projects, United Fashion Company and Commercial Bank of Qatar.
Sponsors for The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week and MENA’s Next Top Designer also include BMW, Commercial Bank, The St Regis Doha, Almana Group and United Development Company.
Zoulikha El Fassi from Zoul Projects, said The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week and MENA’s Top Designer will establish Doha as a leader in the fashion stakes and cement its reputation as a place where exciting and creative things are happening.
“Zoul Projects is committed to showcasing the very best Doha can offer in terms of fashion and lifestyle. We are confident The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week and MENA’s Next Top Designer will raise awareness about Qatar as an emerging design and fashion incubator,” she said.
“Qatar has been at the forefront of fostering a culture of art and design in the region and the world and it is only natural we would choose Doha as the setting for both The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week and MENA’s Next Top Designer.”
Kirk Martin, Executive Vice President Fashion and Retail Leasing at The Pearl-Qatar, said The Pearl-Qatar had become an important fashion destination not just in Qatar but the region.
“The Pearl-Qatar is home to flagship stores of some of the world’s biggest fashion names. To have The Pearl-Qatar as a backdrop to Fashion Week and MENA’s Next Top Designer is an opportunity to showcase Qatar’s development and exciting future.”
“United Fashion Company was formed to bring world-class luxury and mid to mid-upper range brands to The Pearl-Qatar and the rest of the Gulf region. The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week is part of their commitment to do this. We look forward to it becoming an annual event and showing what Qatar has to offer.”
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