London-based, Emirati fashion brand Qasimi, is embarking on a journey like no other as it launches the first ever emerging talent incubator, entitled “Qasimi Rising” in a bid to highlight new voices in fashion design. Qasimi will also be refocusing its own brand on a curated permanent collection and collaborations with artists from all over the world.
Spearheaded by Qasimi creative director and president of the Sharjah Art Foundation, the Africa Institute, Sharjah Architecture Triennial and the International Biennale Association, Hoor Al Qasimi, this innovative and progressive phase in Qasimi’s journey is centered on celebrating and bolstering creativity in fashion and building a true legacy for the label, which was founded by her twin brother Khalid Al Qasimi in 2015, with ambitions far beyond “selling more clothes.”
“Legacy is not just about what you leave behind. It’s also what you do going forward,” says Hoor Al Qasimi. Launched this month (Dec 2022), Qasimi Rising Talent Incubation, will “nurture two emerging designers over the course of three years, providing holistic support across all business verticals.” The chosen designers will have access to a co-working studio space and support with production, product development, merchandising, marketing and all business functions from a network of industry leaders, placing them firmly within the Qasimi family while they develop their own voice.
Qasimi will relaunch its e-commerce platform to accommodate its incubated brands, creating a digital space for them to build brand identity and sell products.
As a curator, Hoor Al Qasimi will bring her expertise from the art world into the Qasimi Rising Incubation Program, unearthing the most promising new fashion talents from across the globe. The successful candidates will be selected by Al Qasimi and an expert panel with winners unveiled in a ceremony in Sharjah, UAE in early March, 2023.
Applications are open on: https://qasimi.com/pages/rising
