M7 and Printemps Doha have revealed ‘The Collective’ seven design finalists, whose capsule collections will be showcased in the new store.

Prior to the opening they were part of a group of 11 initial designer participants who introduced their brands before a jury panel composed of industry experts and retail professionals from M7 and Printemps Doha, last September.

The lucky seven will get the exclusive opportunity to showcase their brand and sell their capsule collection in a dedicated M7 x Printemps Doha concept space next year. To prepare for this opportunity, they will undergo a five-month-long preparation period which will include workshops and coaching sessions covering the topics: retail buyer behaviour, design development, sampling and production, marketing and communication, sales and distribution and visual merchandising, alongside several one-on-one mentorship sessions in design development and production and supply chain.

MEET THE FINALISTS

SDN (Sadan)
Rawan AlNassiri is the founder and creative director of SDN. Launched in 2019, SDN (Sadan) is a contemporary womenswear line based in Doha, offering bold and striking pieces to fit any woman’s extraordinary sense of style. Rawan believes that fashion is an expression of taste, cultural norms and social history, encompassing ideas, how we live and what is happening around us.

POZE
Zulfa Althani is the founder and CEO of Poze, which aims to bridge the gap between haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion by providing affordable luxury to the woman on the go and making demi-couture culture relatable, playful and collaborative. Zulfa defines the Poze woman as someone who travels between different worlds, navigating real-life challenges with Poze’s pieces in her suitcase.

SHIROTSU
A conceptual fashion studio founded by designers Sayuri Kurotsu, from Japan, and Giovanni Innellaaref, from Italy, SHIROTSU allows its authors to raise questions about the economies and politics of societies, by initiating fashion projects, artistic installations and performances. The brand often uses discarded garments and materials in combination with traditional or unconventional techniques to create new clothes.

TRZI
Established in 2010 by fashion designer and art director, Amna Ahmed Al-Misned, TRZI is inspired by women, art, lifestyle and culture. The brand, depicting the modern woman who is connected to her roots, took off by designing and reimagining the abaya, a traditional garment that women in the Middle East wear daily, blurring the lines between Qatari cultural attire and the global fashion world.

THE /// PROJECT
A Qatar-based creative collective and fashion label, THE /// PROJECT started off as a joint venture between friends, Abdulrahman Al Ahmad and Eid Al-Sulaiti, in 2017. The brand is inspired by revisiting the basics of the local younger generation’s wardrobes as well as by bringing streetwear and urban wear elements to traditional Middle Eastern clothing. Its upcycling techniques give new life to existing garments and create custom made-to-measure items for all body types.

Dana Riad
Established by Dana Riad, the brand offers seasonless pieces, transforming timeless garments from day to night; wearing this brand means wearing Dana’s story that’s still being written every day. The brand is a unique marriage between heritage and modernity and romance.

Kaltham’s Pavilion
Established in 2018 by Kaltham Al Majid, Kaltham’s Pavilion aims to represent Qatari culture by incorporating tradition and nature into fine jewellery pieces. The brand creates exclusive items, most of them made of unique coloured sapphires, diamonds and other precious gemstones set in 18-carat gold, with the finest craftsmanship.

Following the announcement of the finalists, Thierry Prevost, Printemps Doha General Manager, said: “I would like to congratulate the seven shortlisted local designers who impressed the jury with their technical expertise and their unique approach to design. The first edition of ‘The Collective’ programme put the spotlight on exceptional new talents and I look forward to seeing them showcase their collections in Printemps Doha.”

“We are thrilled to announce the seven local designers as part of the inaugural edition of ‘The Collective’ programme. We recognised their incredible talents, personal storytelling and strong brand DNA and we are excited to provide support and one-on-one mentorship sessions to the designers as they embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey,” added Maha AlSulaiti, M7 Director. “Together with Printemps Doha, we work to ensure that emerging designers have the right tools and guidance to prepare themselves to enter the retail market. I look forward to seeing them progress and evolve throughout this retail incubation programme.” ✤