A glamorous gathering took place at London's Connaught Hotel as Qatar's Fashion Trust Arabia joined forces with luxury e-tailer Matches Fashion, attracting a crowd of models and socialites. The guest list boasted renowned individuals such as Swedish Somali model Ikram Abdi, Dutch Moroccan Egyptian model Imaan Hammer, British actress Elizabeth Hurley, and Lady Amelia Spencer. The occasion commemorated the collaboration that showcased the collections of the 2022 Fashion Trust Arabia prize winners on the Matches e-commerce platform. The winners had previously been celebrated at a dazzling event in Doha during October 2022.
Fashion Trust Arabia, a non-profit organization, bestowed recognition upon six Arab designers who were spotted at the London event. Notable awardees included the Albinali sisters from Saudi Arabia, honored for their ready-to-wear creations, Morocco's Artsi Ifrach for evening wear, Sudan's Eilaf Osman for accessories, Egypt's Fatma Mostafa for jewelry, and Yemen's Kazna Asker, who won the Franca Sozzani debut talent award. Turkey was the guest country, and the award went to Burc Akyol.
Fashion Trust Arabia's primary objective is to provide budding designers in the Middle East and North Africa with financial support, advice, and mentorship. Additionally, the FTA Advisory Board is currently in the process of selecting finalists for the 2023 edition, with the announcement scheduled for June 2023. The final 24 candidates will undergo review by the FTA Advisory Board Members and a panel of judges consisting of prominent figures in the fashion industry, including renowned designers, stylists, and media personalities. Last year's panel featured notable figures like Pierpaolo Piccioli, Olivier Rousteing, Remo Ruffini, Zuhair Murad, and others.
Ikram Abdi attended the London event following an eventful weekend at Royal Ascot, where she indulged in horse races and mingled with international celebrities. In addition to members of the UK's royal family, Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair also graced the occasion and shared glimpses of King Charles III's arrival on her Instagram Stories before showcasing her elegant cream ensemble.
