Fashion Trust Arabia is an opportunity for gifted designers in the MENA region to advance their careers. Additionally, by bringing attention to talents and creatives from the MENA region and assisting and promoting their work through its platforms FTA supports and elevates Arab creatives. Moreover, FTA frequently works with businesses on capsule collections to earn money for its network of designers. This year FTA took place in Doha. With that, GRAZIA tells you which designers won the prize.
What is Fashion Trust Arabia?
Fashion Trust Arabia, a non-profit organization identifies, supports and fosters gifted designers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It also brings attention to the region’s fashion industry.
Under the patronage of Honorary Chair HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, FTA was established in 2018 by co-founder Tania Fares and co-chair HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The FTA Advisory Board chooses 20 designers as its finalists, who will compete for one of the five FTA Awards at the annual awards ceremony. In addition to this, the FTA welcomes applications from up-and-coming designers in the MENA region.
Every year, a financial grant ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, contingent on the size of the winning designer’s company, is awarded. Additionally, they will receive a $25,000 Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award. Moreover, a one-year mentorship program will also be awarded to the winners of the Ready-to-Wear, Accessories and Jewelry categories by London-based global luxury retailer MATCHES FASHION, who will also carry their collections. Also, the winning collection in the evening wear category will be available at Harrods.
The winners
The “ongoing and deeply distressing humanitarian crisis in Palestine” brought the cancellation of the star-studded awards, but a two-day virtual deliberation process was held to determine the winners.
Co-chairs Tania Fares and HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, as well as a renowned group of judges and advisory board members, attended the session. Following a showcase presentation on December 12 and 13, seven candidates in six different categories were chosen as winners.
The Winners:
- Evening wear Award: Amir Al Kasm
- Evening wear Award: Cynthia Merhej
- Ready-To-Wear Award: Ahmed Amer
- Jewellery award: Katarina Tarazi
- The Accessories Award: Omar Taha and Lily Max
- The Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award: Adam Elyasse
- The Guest Country Award Nigeria: Adeju Thompson
