Bazaar’s Editor in Chief, Olivia Phillips, chats with the FTA Co-Founder and Co-Chair – and, now, newly appointed Co-Chair of the British Fashion Council Foundation – about how the non-profit initiative actively works to support regional designers, empowering them to grow their brands…

When it comes to guiding and mentoring designers from the region on their respective journeys to success – both as homegrown heroes and in the international fashion markets – Tania Fares, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA), is, arguably, one of the most passionate players within the fashion industry. 

Under the patronage of HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser as honorary chair, the non-profit initiative was created by Tania and co-chair HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani in 2018 with the purpose of providing emerging regional designers with the support, tools and guidance to grow their brands and connect with other like-minded talent from the region.

“It’s important to be around people that have the same challenges as you, the same opportunities and accomplishments. It’s really important to for designers to have a support system,” Tania says, touching on how the non-profit organisation is one-part mentorship programme and one-part networking platform.

Having recently been appointed Co-Chair of the British Fashion Council Foundation, she also notes how the organisation works to connect regional talent with opportunities abroad, shining the spotlight on MENA designers and helping the to secure exposure aborad. “FTA acts as a bridge between the East and the West,” she says. “Fashion is a global language. It’s only natural to only want to create this bridge.”

Here, Bazaar shares the full interview where Tania shares why she feels it’s important to give back to the community by supporting emerging talent, her inspirations and the ethos behind FTA.

Image supplied.

You can also catch up on the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia for free by downloading the app on the Apple or Google Play store.