Store Windows Showcase Designs of VCUarts Qatar's Students and Alumni

In downtown Doha, there lie the products of a new generation of designers offering fashion solutions that tastefully combine culture and modernity, just across the road from Msheireb metro station.

The windows feature designs created by students and alumni of the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, a Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university.

The clothing shown is a contemporary interpretation of casual and sportswear in the cultural context of Qatar.

Students and graduates of the college's Fashion Design and Interior Design departments contributed to the showcase.

The designs created by Thiaba Nazir and Iman Imran, fashion design students at VCUarts Qatar, were featured on one of the windows which showcases streetwear that "celebrates football and the communities it creates". The students were mentored by Ali Khan, Assistant Professor of Fashion Design, VCUarts Qatar.

Another window features the kaftan collection which combines the suppleness and comfort of traditional clothing with silhouettes that suit the lifestyle of the modern Arab woman. The collection was designed by VCUarts Qatar Class 2022 alumnae Najla Al Eida, Aisha Al Fadala, Sheikha Al Thani, Reem Atu, Ayatallah Mohamed, Hira Nisar, and Farida Fathala. The graduates were mentored by Frederica Vizany, Associate Professor of Fashion Design, VCUarts Qatar.

The same window features seven sports abayas celebrating the growing role of Arab women in sports in the region's cultural context.

This collection was designed by VCUarts Qatar Fashion Design senior students Haya Al Thani, Maha Al Rabaan, Amna Al Balam, Noor Butt, Rana Elhadi, Iman Imran, and Tiaba Nazir. The students were supervised by Christopher Fink, head of the fashion design department. The exemplary interior design was created by Luma Mansi and Dana Abuheileh, alumnae of VCUarts Qatar Interior Design.

Among the first visitors to visit the windows, which opened to the public in the second week of December, were David Beckham, former England captain and World Cup ambassador, and Maha Al Ansari, founder, and CEO of Knockout Boxing and former captain of the Qatar national basketball team.

Amir Berbić, Dean, VCUarts Qatar, and senior officials from Qatar Foundation, Doha Design District, and Msheireb Downtown Doha were also present.

These showcases were made possible with support from the Doha Design District and M7.