Among all the awards spotlighting emerging fashion talent, Fashion Trust Arabia shines with glamour, bringing red-carpet energy to the Middle East. For young designers, it’s a glitter-dusted launchpad, backed by substantial financial support and professional mentorship. This year’s seventh edition unfolded at Doha’s Qatar National Museum, Jean Nouvel’s breathtaking homage to the desert rose, an architectural marvel that stands out even amid the city’s constellation of spectacular buildings.
Held in the presence of FTA Honorary Chair Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the evening gathered international and regional celebrities, global media, and leading industry figures. Guests were welcomed by FTA Co-Chairs Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Tania Fares, who came together to celebrate seven designer laureates from the MENA Region.
In her welcoming speech, Sheikha Mayassa championed the collective resilience region’s designers. “The MENA region has endured one of its most challenging chapters in decades,” she said. “Many of our countries, our people, and our creatives have been tested in ways that defy description. And yet, what continually moves me is the strength of our community, the way our designers keep creating, keep telling our stories, and keep reminding the world of who we are.”
Bathed in a soft pink glow, the museum’s sweeping elliptical planes created a stunning backdrop for the soirée, hosted by Queen Latifah and Egyptian actor Aiman Kaissouni. The seven winners emerged from a pool of 21 finalists, judged by an FTA jury that included Christian Louboutin, Duran Lantink, Giambattista Valli, and Rabih Kayrouz, among others.
The Ready-to-Wear Award went to Moroccan-born Youssef Drissi for his label Late for Work. Rooted in the contradictions of his culture, his collection offered a deconstructed spin on everyday staples, stitched together with thrift-shop irreverence and a streak of rebellion. Shown during Paris Fashion Week in October, his most recent offering drew notice for its clever cut-and-paste wit.
Saudi Arabia–born, London-based Ziyad Al Buainain of Zyiad Buainain claimed the Eveningwear Award with a series of ingenious gowns that shifted shape at the pull of a zip, the release of a bow, or the unfastening of a hook—a sort of high glamour with a secret life.
The Accessories Award went to Morocco’s Leila Roukni of Talel, whose bags merged inventive geometry with rich traditional references, and Egyptian designer Farah Radwan won the Jewelry Award for FYR Jewelry, in which she distills heritage motifs into contemporary forms with a polished, sleek edge.
The Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award was granted to Bahrain-born Alaa Alaradi for Further Deeper Softer Closer, her HEAD Geneva graduate collection that explored the tension between fluidity and discipline via airily deconstructed silhouettes. Also from Bahrain, sisters Fatema and Dalal Alkhaja of Touchless took home the Fashion Tech Award for their striking line of futuristic yet malleable and colorful 3D-printed bags.
This year’s Guest Country was India, with designer Kartik Kumra, who is based between New Delhi and New York, earning top honors. His brand, Kartik Research, is already drawing attention for its artisanal, human-centered approach to design.
The fabulous guest list sparkled almost as brightly as the trophies. Adrien Brody and Emma Roberts made appearances, joined by an especially buoyant Lindsay Lohan, while Isabelle Adjani, enigmatic under a wide-brimmed hat and sweeping caftan, and Juliette Binoche, commanding attention in a sculptural showstopper, brought French je ne sais quoi and cinematic chic. Gisele Bündchen and Natalia Vodianova looked every inch the world’s most glamorous BFF duo, cheering along to performances by Saint Levant and Chaka Khan.
Fashion designers turned out in force. The ever-dapper Stefano Pilati, who is turning his attention to furniture, architecture, and interior design, praised the young designers’ passion and dedication. “That is always a wonderful thing to see,” he said. “And the fact that this year’s selection includes so many women designers feels particularly important. What strikes me even more is how deeply aware they are of sustainability, while remaining equally conscious of tradition and the past. They’re building these beautiful bridges between heritage and the future, something we never really did; it simply wasn’t part of our narrative. Back then, we thought we were revolutionary if we added a few extra inches to a skirt!”
After leaving Marni, Francesco Risso indulged in extensive travels, and he’s now working on a project he’s keeping strictly under wraps. Speaking about the FTA designers, he said: “One of the things that struck me was how everyone was so focused on craft, in a way you don’t often see with younger designers. I loved seeing people truly invest time in their pieces, like this incredible designer spending fifty hours on her knits. That level of dedication is rare, and I really appreciate it. Especially in times like these, with so much confusion and instability, it was genuinely fulfilling to witness.”
For Calvin Klein’s creative director Veronica Leoni, the competition was a first chance to meet young talents from the Middle East: “I was deeply moved by how rooted they are in their culture and heritage,” she remarked. “What impressed me most was the strength of their regional identity. Even those who have studied abroad or gained international experience always return to their origins, shaping their vision and aesthetics in a deeply personal way.”
After his bold and somewhat controversial first outing as Jean Paul Gaultier’s creative director, Duran Lantink took a well deserved breather to join this year’s event. “What I loved about this season,” he noted, “was that many designers were fully embracing creativity, without being overly preoccupied with the business side of things. And honestly, that’s exactly what fashion needs right now: voices proposing their own perspective, feeling free to experiment.” He added: “Each designer approached their tradition in a unique way, but what struck me was how seriously they all take it. They’re not just revisiting heritage, they’re translating it for modern times, and that’s what makes it so compelling.”
Fashion Trust Arabia’s pièces de résistance were two honorary awards: Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad received the Trailblazer Award, presented by Tania Fares, while Miuccia Prada was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. “Tonight, I want to make this personal,” she said. “From the very first day I met Miuccia Prada, she always made time for conversation. She is genuine, she is real, and she has consistently supported women: filmmakers, artists, chefs, entrepreneurs, designers, and countless others… Decades ago, she redefined what it means to be elegant, to be beautiful, to be confident and intellectual in fashion. She taught us the power of embracing the ‘ugly,’ of finding glamour in awkwardness, beauty in discord. To me, she always remains the most interesting woman in the room.”
With her trademark Milanese understatement, Mrs. Prada, clad in a printed shift dress and her now-uniform beaded triangle shawl draped casually over her shoulders, shrugged off the praise. “Thank you for your too generous words,” she said. “I’m very happy to accept this award, mainly because it celebrates cultural exchanges and collaboration, which, in times like these, feels more important than ever.”