Printemps Doha, luxury department store set to open next month in Qatar, has partnered with art centre M7 to launch The Collective, a programme to support local fashion designers.
The programme invites established and aspiring fashion designers in the country to present designs from their latest collections of womenswear items, such as abayas, kaftans, eveningwear, casualwear and accessories.
For three months, 14 candidates will learn about the business of luxury retail from creative designers and retail professionals of M7 and Printemps Doha.
“We are excited to partner with Printemps Doha to provide emerging designers in Qatar with an amazing opportunity to showcase their skills to the global community and highlight the nation’s rapidly evolving fashion and creative landscape,” said Maha Al Suhaiti, director of M7.
“A one-of-its-kind initiative, The Collective is at the core of our mission at M7 to champion the careers of Qatar’s design talents and we look forward to our collaboration with Printemps Doha to further strengthen and accelerate the growth of the local fashion economy.”
Seven designers will be selected to showcase their collections for sale in the ‘M7 x Printemps Doha’ section of the department store.
“This partnership initiative with M7 is a significant one and reflects our commitment at Printemps to engage with and support designers,” said Thierry Provost, general manager of Printemps Doha.
“Our mutual goal is to empower them through mentorship and curated workshops, to encourage their creativity, support their entrepreneurship and more importantly, to offer them a dedicated commercial platform and retail visibility where they can showcase their brand at a leading luxury fashion department store.
“This will provide for the selected designers at a great opportunity to meet customers in a dedicated selling space.”
Qatar’s luxury retail market, valued at $1.84 billion, is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2.55 per cent until 2027, according to business management consultant Mordor Intelligence.
