Collections by VCUarts Qatar Fashion Designers Exhibited at the British Council’s 90th Anniversary

An array of abayas created by students and alumni from the Department of Fashion Design at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), was the highlight at the British Council’s 90^th-anniversary celebrations that took place at Doha Design District, in Msheireb, Doha, recently. 

During the event, Amir Berbić, Dean of VCUarts Qatar, and Christopher Fink, Chair of the University’s Fashion Design department, were given awards in recognition of the University’s participation in the Qatar-UK Festival 2024.

The collections of abayas were the fruits of an inspiring collaboration between the University’s Fashion Design department, Liberty London and Doha Design District (DDD). Liberty London’s renowned fabric section provided the fabric for the collections. 

The abayas were first exhibited at Liberty London’s flagship store on Regent Street in London before being displayed at the British Council’s event in Doha. The prestigious venues highlight the fusion of tradition and innovation while nurturing future leaders in fashion design and fostering global connections.

The project featured designs by VCUarts Qatar alumni and students Aanji Speldewinde, Aatikah Al-Thani, Alfutoon Al-Said, Fatima Al-Siddiqi, Fay Alsharif, Halah Mahmoud, Maha Al-Rabaan, Maya Yatim, Samah Sulyman, and Wadha Al Attiya. 

Drawing inspiration from Liberty London’s Floral Library – a stunning archive of around 60000 floral prints – the designers’ concepts merged traditional Middle Eastern attire with contemporary textile design.

Andrea Petochi, Managing Director, Liberty London, said, “We have been touched by the commitment and craft of VCUarts Qatar students, for their contemporary human vision of a more sustainable fashion. Such urgent purpose was so well carried out by their focus on the abaya garment as an epitome of tradition and present beauty, humility, and outspoken elegant strength carried out such an urgent purpose. The passion they managed to inspire within our Liberty artistic design studio in London and the international public has been phenomenal!” 

Susan Campbell, Director of the Fabric and Print Department at Liberty London, said, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our fabrics come to life through the visions of the talented students at VCUarts Doha. In the bridging of two creative worlds, this project melds signature Liberty florals with intricate geometrics, rich colors, and innovative design that exists at the heart of Middle Eastern style. The fusion of influences demonstrates the power of creativity to transcend borders, creating something truly unique.”

DDD – set up by Shaikha Al Sulaiti, a VCUarts Qatar alumna and currently DDD’s Senior Concept Manager – played a crucial role in connecting VCUarts Qatar with Liberty Fabrics, emphasizing the importance of alliances in promoting cultural exchange within the fashion industry. Doha Design District also built the monumental installation that housed the abayas at the celebration. The installation itself was designed by a VCUarts Qatar alumna Sarah Abdeen.

These collaborations, across two countries, demonstrated the immense potential and rich cultural exchange that arises when educational institutions, industry leaders, and emerging talent unite to drive innovation and honor tradition.