Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - VCUQ, Doha - Gallery news: VCUQatar Presents Its Tenth Annual Fashion Show ‘Hekayat’

VCUQatar Presents Its Tenth Annual Fashion Show ‘Hekayat’ (30.4.2009)

VCUQatar Presents Its Tenth Annual Fashion Show ‘Hekayat’ to a ‘Ladies Only’ audience

Doha, Qatar – Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar presented its Tenth Annual Fashion Show, ‘Hekayat’ to a ladies only audience on 29 April 2009 in the VCUQatar atrium. The event is open to the public on 30 April, 2009 and starts at 7:00 PM.

‘Hekayat’ brought together the work of nine seniors – Khouloud Al-Mosallam, Melina Gama de Moura, Naila Al-Thani, Noha Adheir, Roqaya Al-Thani, Sarah Al-Ali, Sheikha Al-Khulaifi, Anfal Berier and Noor Al-Kaabi - featuring a range with components of the traditional, handcrafted, modern, eclectic, Orient and New York glamour. In keeping with the theme, the designs encompassed the stories the young designers are telling through their collection.

The nine stories are all unconnected - one story revolved around the Nukhedha's wife who eagerly awaits the return of her husband from far off lands. Another revolved around belly dances from the Arabian Nights. The third story painted the image of exquisite Arabian fantasy. The others ranged from cyborgs to Arabian sorceresses in New York featuring, Arabian, sci-fi and Hollywood glamour - but were woven together by the designers who took the traditional elements in fashion and made them modern and elegant.

Bahraini designer Hebah Abdulaziz Al-Hasan was the guest designer for the show and presented her collection incorporating the East meets West theme. Her garments cater to society’s needs while allowing women to be comfortable, stylish and above all, confident. This young designer never stops dreaming, believing, learning and creating, as well as hoping for a brighter and more united future for the world and her collection captured this essence in her designs.

The other guest designer, Melanie McClintock’s collection combined art with environmental consciousness, translating waste into fashion with purpose. A VCU alumna herself, she has spent the last decade working in the fashion industry from coast to coast, honing her production and business skills. She is currently teaching in Qatar, sharing her vision and knowledge with the students at VCUQatar.

Ms. Sandra Wilkins, the Chair of the Fashion Department at VCUQatar said she was proud of the work her students have produced over the past 10 years and she is looking forward to the next 10 years. Of the show this year she added, “There’s a story here, taking things that are ancient, and making them modern; you can see the diversity in each students approach to fashion, each one so different and individual.”

During public night on 30 April, 2009 the show will also acknowledge the contributions of two members of the VCU community who are retiring soon - Dr. Charles Bleick, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for VCUQatar and Dr. Eugene Trani, the fourth VCU President and one of the longest serving university presidents in modern times - and present them with the Friends of Fashion awards, given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to VCUQatar’s department of Fashion Design.

VCUQatar celebrated their 10th anniversary in November last year. The university is proud of the work it has been doing in collaboration with the community in Qatar. The fashion show is part of the annual activities of VCUQatar’s fashion design program, to develop the country’s growing fashion industry, with support from Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Doha is one of the most multi-cultured cities in the world and these influences were reflected very vividly in this year’s show.

The Tenth Annual Fashion Show, hosted in the VCUQatar atrium, starts at 7:00 PM on 30 April, 2009, doors open at 6:00 PM and seating will be on a first come first seated basis.

About Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar:
Established in the US in 1838 and in Qatar in 1998 Virginia Commonwealth University offers students from all over the world the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic and interior design. A team of highly skilled professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional design field of their choice. VCUQatar regularly organizes and hosts exhibitions, gallery events, world-class conferences and holds an annual fashion show. VCUQatar is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu or call +974 492 7245.

About Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people. The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.
For more information please visit: www.qf.org.qa

VCUQatar Presents Its Tenth Annual Fashion Show ‘Hekayat’ to a ‘Ladies Only’ audience Press Release as pdf-File

VCUQatar Presents Its Tenth Annual Fashion Show ‘Hekayat’ to a ‘Ladies Only’ audience Press Release as pdf-File in Arabic language

Images:
Students and guest designers collections showcased during Hekayat to a Ladies only audience