Fashion Trust Arabia Cancels 5th Annual Awards Ceremony
The highly anticipated event, uniting regional and global fashion designers and artists, will not take place this year
Initially scheduled to take place on October 25 in Doha, Qatar—and after being postponed in October—the fifth annual edition of Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) has been cancelled.
Why Was Fashion Trust Arabia 2023 Cancelled?
FTA announced the cancellation of its 2023 awards ceremony, in addition to all related upcoming activities, in an official Instagram statement. “We have made this decision out of solidarity and respect,” declares Fashion Trust Arabia.
The non-profit organisation, founded in 2018 by Her Royal Highness Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar and Tania Fares, aims to support both emerging and renowned creatives across the MENA region.
Fashion Trust Arabia serves as an international platform, providing Arab fashion designers and artists with the necessary financial support, mentorship, guidance, and recognition to achieve success in the creative industry at large.
Fashion Trust Arabia: A Celebration of Arab Talent
The annual FTA Prize competition, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, was launched in 2018—under the aegis of FTA’s Honorary Chair HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and Co-Chairs HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani and Tania Fares. The competition rewards six winning designers across five different design categories by offering them each a financial grant ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 in cash—and an additional $25,000 for the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award winner.
Offering prestigious retail opportunities, FTA rewards the winners of the ready-to-wear, accessories, and jewellery categories with a one-year mentorship program courtesy of global luxury retailer MATCHES FASHION in London—who will showcase their exquisite collections. As for the Evening-Wear category winner, London-based luxury department store Harrods will spotlight their winning collection.
Additionally, FTA offers its winners spectacular benefits including mentorship programs under the wing of Bicester Village as well as showroom representation and PR consultancy courtesy of Maison Pyramide. In 2021, FTA launched their Guest Country Award, which provides emerging creatives with a global networking platform conducive to cross-cultural exchange.
Such outstanding initiatives attest to FTA’s dedication and commitment to nurturing emerging and established creatives in the MENA region. In addition, through its social media platforms, Fashion Trust Arabia regularly spotlights and promotes regional talent across the region—whether it be in the realm of style, beauty, travel, design, sustainability, retail, or e-commerce.
Inside Fashion Trust Arabia’s Fourth Awards Ceremony
Last year’s FTA event welcomed the likes of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned of Qatar, Bella Hadid, Youssra, Janet Jackson, Olivier Rousteing, Olivia Culpo, Paula Abdul, Ed Westwick, Mona and Huda Kattan, Elyanna among other prestigious guests.
Namely, the Fashion Trust Arabia Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2022 was awarded to Huda Kattan, whilst Mr. Valentino Garavani received the Fashion Trust Arabia Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Fashion Trust Arabia 2022 categories’ winners are as follows:
- Evening Wear: Artsi Ifrach
- Ready-to-Wear: Siham and Sarah Albinali
- Accessories: Eilaf Osman
- Jewellery: Fatma Mostafa
- Debut Talent: Kazna Asker
- Guest Country (Turkey): Burç Akyol
Lead image courtesy of @fashiontrustarabia