Years of Culture
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2025/01/16
Clothes can tell the story of a culture in a unique and immersive way. So many elements inform and make up the traditional dress of a country - the climate, materials, lifestyle, beliefs and even the dyes and colours often originally taken from nature.
Traditional outfits, still worn on a daily basis, are an integral aspect of Qatar’s proud heritage, and Qatar clothing is symbolic of the country’s Islamic faith and religious values.
Traditionally worn by women in Qatar, the Abaya is a floor-length, usually black dress with long sleeves. It is often worn with a specific type of headscarf known as a Shayla, and some Qatar women dress in a Djelabia underneath.
Traditional Qatar clothing for men typically includes a Thobe, an elegant long white garment worn with a fabric head scarf known as a Ghutra, held in place with a rope band, or Agal.
Another significant garment in Qatar is the keffiyeh - a headdress so emblematic that it inspired Laʼeeb, the mascot of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in a nod to regional traditions.
From distinguished traditional Qatari fashion, to new Qatar fashion designers reinventing what Qatari fashion means today, there is a vibrant and ever evolving fashion scene in Doha. Brands like Tiiya or Hissa Haddadi (HH), just to name a few, are redefining the global fashion industry by creating luxury haute couture inspired by traditional Arab culture.
Qatar is also a hub for international fashion, with boutiques from many international luxury brands in Doha.
Today, Qatari fashion represents ingenuity and creativity, with a growing number of local Qatari designers redefining the industry through beautiful designs and sustainable materials.
Years of Culture spoke with local designers as part of an interview series highlighting Sustainability in Doha, including founder of sustainable Qatar fashion brand Mhefhef, Mashael Alnaimi. The multidisciplinary designer's upcycled Abayas prevent fabric waste from being sent to landfill.
Fashion and product designer Rabab Abdulla designed a collection of Battoulah face coverings from sustainable bio-plastic, inspired by the cultural legacy of Qatar.
Innovative centre of creativity M7 has a world-class events and educational programme, with an emphasis on encouraging entrepreneurship in fashion, design and technology.
M7’s pioneering ZWARA Doha Dreams design programme supports Qatari designers through mentorship and a platform within their pop-up exhibition spaces.
Located in the Msheireb Downtown Doha, M7 has hosted large-scale fashion exhibitions such as Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams and Forever Valentino.
Qatar Fashion United by CR Runway was an ambitious Qatar fashion show, held on a truly epic scale at the 974 Stadium during the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Curated by Carine Roitfeld, the show showcased the work of over 100 fashion designers, modelled by world-famous names, in support of the meaningful charity Education Above All.
Fashion Trust Arabia is an unparalleled non-profit organisation in the Arab World providing opportunities, guidance and financial support to emerging fashion designers across the MENA region.
Creative industries are an important pillar for Years of Culture and there have been many acclaimed initiatives, events and exhibitions held over the years highlighting fashion in Doha and abroad, in collaboration with our esteemed partner countries.
The Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture welcomed skilled artisans to share the art of Indonesian Batik fabrics, during a month-long workshop programme in Doha.
Beyond this, Qatari and Indonesian designers participated in a series of design residency programmes in Indonesia, exploring local craftsmanship and learning all about embroidery in Tasikmalaya.
From intricate fabrics and ornate jewellery to historic clothing, national dress is a fascinating way to get to know the story of a nation’s people. As part of the Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture, a Yemeni traditional fashion showcase took place at the National Museum of Qatar, in collaboration with the Embassy of Yemen.
Labour of Love: Embroidering Palestinian History at QM Gallery Katara shone a light on the history of Palestine through intricate Tatreez Embroidery.
A landmark exhibition at MIA for 2023 as part of the legacy of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture , Fashioning an Empire - Textiles from Safavid Iran tells the story of the historical impact of delicate silks in Iran.
Another country internationally renowned for its’ leading fashion industry is of course France. The Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture welcomed established industry giants including Carine Roitfeld, Elie Saab and Farida Khelfa to the Qatari embassy in Paris as part of a Fashion Trust Arabia event.
The legacy of Qatar-France 2020 also saw Once Upon a Bag, a touring Hermès Heritage Exhibition open at National Museum of Qatar, detailing the history of the brand’s iconic bags.
A magnificent Indian fashion exhibition also took place during Qatar-India 2019. Tradition, Craft and Sustainability: A Path To Timeless Beauty at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha featured a curated selection of contemporary Indian fashion alongside textiles and accessories.
Other successful Years of Culture fashion and design events over the years have included the Heya Arabian Fashion exhibition to mark Qatar-Germany 2017 and Silks From The Silk Road in 2016, exploring the Chinese art of silk.
Discover the most unmissable places to visit in Doha and learn more about Qatari culture, from cuisine to cinema with Years of Culture.
