Appetite for local brands is being established

M7

As one of the biggest consumers of luxury fashion in the Middle East, with a thriving local fashion industry of its own, Qatar is home to many brands. Adding value to the growing fashion, design industry ‘M7’, Qatar’s creative startup hub dedicated to fashion, design and technology will open tomorrow. 

It will bring more local and regional talents to limelight, says Director of M7, Maha Al Sulaiti. 

“Definitely there is lot of talents of which we have examples. But we will see more talents with the opening of M7,” she said during a media meet held recently.

Emphasising about Qatar’s fashion market, Al Sulaiti said: “It’s a different market, style and we have a different approach to whatever that we are doing.”

Qatar is bustling with designers and labels that embrace a contemporary edge with a traditional flair.

“Appetite for local brands is being established. Right now we try to have a balance between local and international brands. That’s why the art director at Studio 7 (a resident partner of M7) working very closely with local designers to bring them to the participation. So that they can create unique pieces that represent our local culture,” said Head of Public Programmes at M7, Fahad Al Obaidly said. 

He showed the example of Qatari brands and Qatar established brands, including Salam Stores which has incubated at least four local brands and Qatari designer Hissa Haddad has made her presence in international retails spaces. 

Maha Al Sulaiti and Fahad Al Obaidly emphasised that M7 will advance the careers of Qataris and its residents in the creative industries, with a focus on fashion and design.

M7 is one of multiple initiatives developed and supported by Qatar Museums to help build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure in Qatar.

“M7 hosts a number of Resident Partners that serve the creative ecosystem as well as exhibitions, educational and skill-based programmes and public discussions. The hub cultivates talent through expert mentorships, connecting Qatar’s innovators with influential creative from around the world,” said Al Obaidly. 

As an innovation hub within Doha, M7, has engaged several educational partners to present public programming throughout the year. M7 will collaborate with partners including Doha Film Institute, VCUarts Qatar, Injaz Qatar, Caravane Earth, Architects Hub, QSTP, and IbTECHar to develop pop-ups that showcase local designers and talent, a speaker series exploring the role of design locally and regionally, activities facilitating connections between designers and the community, and an annual conference reviewing Qatar’s creative economy through panels, keynote speakers, and networking events.