by DOHA, Qatar – The desert air was full of glamor on Saturday evening as Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) held its most star-studded ceremony yet, filling the sand-colored galleries of the National Museum of Qatar with a parade of international celebrities, artists, luxury brokers and emerging designers vying for her attention.
Adrien Brody and Lindsay Lohan and Emma Roberts crossed paths near the museum’s pink galleries. Juliette Binoche and Regina King held court with Lori Harvey, while Jeff Koons chatted with architect Rem Koolhaas, the museum’s designer, who reimagined his creation for the evening. And Gisele Bündchen, who flew in at the invitation of her close friend Sheikha Mayassa, worked the room before taking the stage to present the Fashion Tech Award.
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“I came to support my good friend Sheikha Mayassa,” Bündchen said. “Everything they put together is excellent. What they do is incredible, as is the city. The art museums are excellent, the souk – it’s a very nice place to visit.”
Gisele Bündchen
The seventh edition of FTA, hosted by Queen Latifah and Egyptian actor Aiman Kaissouni, attracted over 1,200 applicants vying for seven prizes in categories including ready-to-wear, evening wear, accessories and fashion technology. Co-chairs Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Tania Fares welcomed the guests in the presence of honorary chair Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
“We all just experienced the walk across the water – the first time we get a glimpse of this site,” remarked Sheikha Mayassa as she greeted the star-studded crowd, noting that guests were the first to see the museum’s striking architecture, reflected in a purpose-built water feature. “It is a place where the past and the future meet.”
“As we look back on the seven years of FTA, I feel great gratitude,” Sheikha Mayassa told the crowd. “Everywhere I travel, people talk and know about FTA’s work.”
Providing clear evidence of the organization’s growing influence, she pointed out that Rama Duwaji, the future first lady of New York City, wore Zeid Hijazi on election night as her husband Zohran Mamdani won his historic mayoral victory. Hijazi, a Palestinian-Jordanian designer based in London, won the 2020 FTA Prize.
This year’s winners continued the pipeline of emerging talent: Late for Work’s Youssef Drissi took home ready-to-wear, while Ziyad Buainain won eveningwear. Leila Roukni’s accessories label Talel and Farah Radwan’s FYR Jewelry won their respective categories. Alaa Alaradi received the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award, supported by Kering, and sisters Fatema and Dalal Alkhaja won the Fashion Tech Award for their label Touchless. Kartik Kumra of Kartik Research won the Guest Country Award for India, presented in collaboration with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. The award was presented by veteran Indian designer Anamika Khanna and model Neelam Gill. The winners were selected by a distinguished jury that included Amina Muaddi, Christian Louboutin, Giambattista Valli and Remo Ruffini.
The most emotional moment of the evening was when Miuccia Prada accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. Sheikha Mayassa paid a deeply personal tribute to the designer, whom she described as a creative mentor of sorts.
“The Prada universe is based on culture, not trends,” said Sheikha Mayassa. “I first met Miuccia through our shared love of film. She was one of our first supporters, always open to ideas, always open to collaboration.”
The Qatari king said he approached Prada years ago with an unconventional request to design abayas, pointing out that many Western designers had overlooked the garment despite their significant clientele in the Middle East. “I’ve suggested the idea to a lot of people, many of whom are here tonight. I won’t name them,” she said, drawing knowing laughter. “I didn’t manage to convince the majority, but Miuccia said yes. Always up for a challenge, she always said yes.”
Ms. Prada, typically understated, kept her remarks brief and thanked the organization for promoting cultural exchange and collaboration.
Zuhair Murad received the Trailblazer Award, cementing his status as a designer who brought Arabic couture to the world’s red carpets.
François-Henri Pinault was present at the announcement that Kering will now support the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award and will offer the winner a tailored mentoring program tailored to their individual needs. Francesco Carrozzini, son of the late Vogue Italia editor, presented the award, citing his mother’s legacy as he introduced the winner. “The future of luxury requires us to nurture creativity, empower talent and drive innovation,” he said.
Christian Louboutin, Adrien Brody and François-Henri Pinault
Film, fashion and the beauty world were well represented at the event. Actresses Pom Klementieff, Golshifteh Farahani and supermodel Natalia Vodianova worked in the space alongside Mario Testino and models Alton Mason, Pritika Swarup and Precious Lee. Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodríguez also attracted attention. Make-up artist Sir John and a team from Anastasia Beverly Hills, the event’s beauty partner, prepared guests for the red carpet for the evening.
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan ended the evening with a performance that left guests buzzing after an earlier performance by Palestinian-Chilean artist Saint Levant.
For the FTA winners, this evening was a confirmation on an international level. Saudi designer Ziyad Albuainain, winner of the evening wear category, said: “It feels like not long ago I was clearing out the couch in my living room to make room for a larger cutting table to fulfill our first 100-piece order. And now to win this award and stand here in front of you all tonight feels unreal.”
Opening Gallery: Inside the Fashion Trust Arabia 2025 Awards Ceremony
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