Heya exhibition features high-profile talks on fashion business
THE Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, in its 17th edition, offers a series of events showcasing the latest in Arabian and modest designs, as well as valuable insights into the business of fashion. A popular platform for atari designers to showcase their latest collections, this year’s edition includes a series of talks covering topics from design to innovation and entrepreneurship.
atar Business Events Corporation CEO Ahmed Al Obaidli commented: “Heya is bringing together local talent to educate and entertain audiences in atar, and to offer up and coming designers the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, while contributing to the economy. We are pleased to present a diverse
and inspirational programme of talks this year, in collaboration with our partners across the public and private sectors, with the aim of developing synergies between designers, entrepreneurs, aficionados and students and furthering atar’s burgeoning fashion business.”
The opening day included a session by Maha Al Sulaiti,
acting director of M7, a creative start-up hub established by
atar Museums. The session highlighted M7’s role in cultivating opportunities for small businesses and empowering designers to explore, collaborate and grow into successful entrepreneurs.
Led by Amal Ameen, founder CEO of Amici Di
Moda, along with media personalities Ola Al Fares, Asma Al Hammadi and Al Ftoon Al
anahi, the ‘Abaya Talk’ focused on modest fashion’s role in shaping the industry into a significant retail sector and how it has helped empower women. A talk show entitled ‘Flowers Fashion’ by Khadeja Ahmad Albuhaliqa, co-founder
ofHE N K S gardens, celebrated the role of flowers in inspiring designers throughout the years.
On day-two of the exhibition, Dana Riad, founder and CEO of Dana Riad House of Fashion, hosted a discussion entitled ‘From Concept to Runway, behind the Scenes’, while Harriet Gyamfuah, PR director of Creative Amplified, and Abla Sebak, CEO of Noir Group, spoke about the power of public relations in fashion.
The third day featured a talk on ‘Scaling up your fashion business’, focusing on the opportunities, programmes and entities that support budding fashion entrepreneurs. Panellists included Aysha Al Romaihi, head of Strategic Initiatives and Business Collaborations at atar Business Incubation Center ( BIC) and Maha Al Sulaiti, acting director of M7.
As with many of NTC’s exhibitions, young talent played a prominent role at HE A. A talk on ‘What is it like to study fashion in atar’ brought together alumni of Virginia Commonwealth niversity School of the Arts in
atar (VC arts atar), Roda al Marzouqi, ude ahran and Lauren Morell. Sustainability, of great import to atar, was also a key theme, with a discussion of ‘Sustainable Luxury Fashion’. Panellists included Sonali Raman from VC arts
atar, Sakala A Debrass and Kim Wyatt, with the talk drawing many attendees.
Those who have not yet visited the exhibition still have a chance to do so. Three more talks are scheduled for November 30. A talk on ‘Women Empowerment in Social Media Era’ will be presented by unira Malik, CEO of What’s p Doha, Mahdiya Farook, founder of Social Panther Group, and Conchita Ponce, founder of Future 318.
The five-day exhibition, organised by atar Business Events Corporation ( BEC), a subsidiary of atar National Tourism Council ( NTC), runs until December 1, with representation from more than 150
atari brands.