Yesterday, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums inaugurated the Zwara: focus on the ‘Forever Valentino’ Exhibition sponsored by Interspace, at M7, Qatar’s epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion, and technology. The exhibition showcases the collections of the thirteen designers enrolled in the third edition of the Zwara Programme.
Commenting on the opening of the exhibition, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said: "We are delighted to celebrate the opening of yet another exceptional exhibition at M7, showcasing the creative talents of our local and Qatar-based designers. Building upon the legacy of the Forever Valentino exhibition, this unique showcase embodies the enduring influence of Maison Valentino and its values. M7 is committed to nurturing and empowering the next generation of designers by promoting collaboration, cross-cultural and disciplinary exchange, and storytelling through design. We are proud to provide a platform for emerging creatives to develop their skills and showcase their vision."
The Zwara Programme is a multifaceted programme that seeks to spark creativity and collaboration in aspiring creatives against the backdrop of Qatar’s creative landscape. Held yearly, the programme highlights the importance of storytelling and experimentation in design, inviting creatives to explore exhibitions, archives, and collections and then respond to a design brief.
This year, thirteen designers were selected across various design disciplines, and were paired into six groups to encourage collaboration and dialogue between fashion and other design disciplines.
The thirteen designers on this year’s Zwara programme are:
- Rabab Abdulla – (Multidisciplinary Designer, Fashion Designer)
- Alaa Albarazy – (Urban Designer, XR Designer)
- Surabhi Gaikwad – (Artist)
- Sonali Raman – (Fashion Designer)
- Maryam Al Suwaidi – (Product Designer)
- Mohammed Al Suwaidi – (Architecture, Fabrication, 3D Design)
- Nia Alexander Campbell – (Artist)
- Maha Al Mahsana – (Fashion designer)
- Tamader Al Sultan – (Fashion Designer)
- Amna Al Baker – (Multidisciplinary Artist)
- Farjana Salahuddin – (Interactive and New Media Artist)
- Fatima Al Sharshani – (Calligrapher)
- Dana Al Mulla – (Fashion Designer)
This edition, Qatar-based designers and creatives in the Zwara Programme were tasked with exploring the natural conversations that occur between fashion and other design disciplines andexplore these in their own work. Drawing inspiration from the Forever Valentino exhibition recently held at M7 and using the legacy and values of Maison Valentino as a starting point, collaborative teams developed designs that combined their diverse practices while reflecting their own heritage and values.
The selected participants were invited to attend a series of exclusive exhibition curated tours and workshops conducted by M7 and also had the opportunity to travel to participate in an optional 3 day-long programme led by the Valentino team at their Atelier in Rome, Designers engaged with Valentino team to understand the context of the Valentino brand, and visited the Ateliers, Historical Archive and were given a brief about Valentino’s Journey. This opportunity allowed participants to garner inspiration from the internationally acclaimed fashion house, and explore the codes and heritage of the Maison in their designs
“The Zwara Programme is tailor made with the aim to connect the global to the local by making our blockbuster exhibitions accessible to aspiring local and Qatar-based designers. We’re also proud that our industry partners such as Valentino recognise the importance of transferring their knowledge and share their legacy with the next generation of designers,” Maha Al Sulaiti, M7 Director said.
M7 is committed to connecting Qatar’s diverse design community and providing opportunities to emerging creatives. The exhibition is sponsored by Qatari interior fit-out company, Interspace who worked collaboratively with Qatar-based exhibition designers.
“It is a pleasure to work alongside Qatar-based designers and support the growth of the creative indusrty in Qatar. Interspace are proud to sponsor the third edition of the Zwara Program” said John Allan, Interspace and Al Manjara manager.
Zwara: focus on Forever Valentino is open from 15 May 2023 until 10 September at the Creative Learning Space, on Floor 1 at M7. The exhibition is now open Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and Friday: 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
To keep up with the latest at M7, visit https://m7.org.qa/en/ or follow @m7.qatar on Instagram.
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About M7
M7 is Qatar’s epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship in fashion and design. Established by Qatar Museums under the leadership of Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, M7 is committed to accelerating the growth of Qatar’s creative economy by providing mentorship and opportunities for designers to build a successful business both locally and internationally, while encouraging the fashion and design industry to play their part in the growth of Qatar’s creative circular ecosystem. M7’s platforms include comprehensive incubation and mentorship programmes, world-class exhibitions and pop-ups, and public discussions. Located at the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, M7 serves to create a space for creatives by working closely with its Resident Partners, Cutting Studio, Studio 7, Scale 7, Fromm, Workinton and Profiles.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programs. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant center for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival. Future projects include the soon to open 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
Media contact:
Lolwa Al Malki – M7 Communications Coordinator
lalmalki@qm.org.qa
+974 5005 0725