Fact Sheet
8th Edition of the Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, November 12 – 18, 2015

Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition is Qatar’s largest women’s fashion exhibition of Arab and Khaliji designed abayas, Arabic kaftans, veils and evening gowns. The 2015 edition is bigger and better than before and aims to transform the exhibition into a world-class fashion destination.

Date: November 12 – 18, 2015

Venue: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center

Opening Hours: 13:00 – 23:00

Hosted by: Qatar Tourism Authority in partnership with Design Creationz

Participants:

• 50% from Qatar
• GCC
• International: Levant, Europe, Americas, ASEAN

Activities and figures of the 2015 Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition:

• Over 300 brands and designers from Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, India, Turkey and many more
• A minimum of 2 planned fashion shows per day
• Two high-level fashion forums with some leading fashion and design personalities, in Arabic and English languages
• Three hands-on fashion and design related workshops
• Five social zones with coffee shops and resting areas with the live feed from runaway shows
• 347 customized boutique spaces, among which 95 Platinum, 101 Gold, 72 Silver and 79 Shell Scheme
• Two lifestyle studios
• 7 days of fashion spread over 10,000 sqm

*Note: From 13:00 pm – 23:00 pm, the exhibition is open to women only 

Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition returns November 12-18
8^th Edition to feature Fall 2015 collections from designers around Gulf, Arab world

Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, Qatar’s leading fashion event, will be returning between 12-18 November 2015 at the new Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, officials from Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Design Creationz have announced.

Featuring the Fall 2015 collection of Arabian and Gulf-designed abayas, kaftans, jalabiyas and gowns, amongst other high-end fashion items, the 8^th edition will include a number of Qatari and regional exhibitors who will showcase their latest collections to a local and international audience.

Events on the sideline of the exhibition will include daily fashion shows, hands-on fashion workshops, discussion forums, VIP lounges and conversations with leading Arabian fashion designers. Covering 10,000sqm, and with 347 exhibition stands, the upcoming exhibition offers four sponsorship categories – shell, silver, gold and platinum.

“The upcoming Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, in its eighth edition, is an example of how QTA and the private sector are working together on projects that bring exciting and unique products to the market,” said Hamad Al Abdan, Director of Exhibitions at QTA. “With regional interest growing, we are pleased to offer guidance and support to Design Creationz in attracting visitors from the Middle East, particularly the Gulf, to attend and participate.”

“The past success and the positive response from Heya exhibitors and visitors, whose numbers have shown a steady increase, motivates us to take this outstanding event to the next level, offering our clients and visitors a world class experience and the opportunity to showcase their design creations to the wider regional and international audiences. We are proud to partner with QTA in this event,” said Jawaher Al Kuwari, Head of Design Creationz Advisory Committee.

Heya is a pioneering platform for authentic Arabian fashion design of abayas, jalabiyas, veils, sheilas, dresses, and gowns, and is the most eagerly anticipated fashion exhibition in the GCC. This groundbreaking exhibition has become the premier event in the traditional Arabian fashion calendar, and the only occasion in Doha where more than 300 creative companies and designers come together in one week-long exhibition.

By: Jawaher Al Kuwari, Head of the Advisory Committee, Design Creationz

Today I am proud to represent Design Creationz in the launch of the 8^th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition  – a bold and inspired vision to shape the agenda for the Arabian fashion in Qatar, the region and the international arena.

It is with a great sense of pride that Design Creationz has been entrusted by QTA to carry out this project. We at Design Creationz believe in the personal interpretation of fashion and we applaud our participating designers in embodying their unique personality in each beautiful piece of Arabian clothing they produce.

Qatar aspires to become the regional hub for the Arabian fashion, delivering the best platform for region’s designers. Qatar Tourism Authority has been instrumental in securing just this, while at the same time, supporting and promoting Qatar’s private sector.

It is very encouraging to see local designers promoting traditional Arabian fashion threads. We are witnessing the growth of a culture that is incorporating fashion and style into its tradition, while at the same time remaining close to its roots.

Seeing Heya’s evolution throughout the years has been a fascinating journey. It opened the market for Qatari and regional fashion designers to get creative in translating Arabian culture and tradition into their creations.

In the 8^th edition of Heya, we expect to host up to 345 Qatari and regional designers and an increase in fashion shows. Launching new visitor campaigns will allow us to captivate and draw in visitors from the Gulf and across the region. Some of our other exciting additions include fashion forums, new gourmet cafes and eateries, and hands-on workshops. These changes among others in store are expected to attract some 15,000 visitors to the six-day event.

Our aim is to transform Heya into a platform that will attract regional and international designers, fashion buyers, and visitors from all spheres of life, while fostering new and coming talents. Our goal is to build a strong and effective international Arabian fashion design platform that will be at the heart of the country’s national tourism vision.

Qatar’s National Tourism Sector Strategy is clear and ties with the 2030 National Strategy. It must fit local tradition and moral values, it must align with the National Agenda, it must create a positive economic impact, it must be environmentally responsible. Through bringing 8^th Heya to the stage we aim to meet those goals and contribute to the growth and success of this nation.

Heya represents the spirit and motivation that drives the traditional Arab culture into the international sphere of fashion.

This could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of the talented Design Creationz team. It is those same people who have been involved in developing the 8^th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition, and who will ensure its success.

We would like to thank His Highness and QTA for their vision, commitment, leadership and utmost support.

Dear guests, thank you for being here with us tonight and for supporting the 8^th Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition.

We look forward to welcoming you in November for a full week of captivating Arabian fashion design.