The 17th annual Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) fashion show opened yesterday featuring unique and diverse collections of sophomore, junior and senior fashion students at The Gate Mall.
Around 30 male and female models, along with a number of children, presented the collections on the ramp, receiving loud applause from the capacity audience.
Titled “Reach ‘16,” the three-day event welcomed renowned couturier Rami al-Ali as the guest designer and showcased some of his recent ready-to-wear collections. The Syrian-born fashion designer now based in the UAE was introduced by VCUQatar Fashion Design chair Sandra Wilkins.
Al-Ali’s collections are among the most sought designs and worn by popular artistes such as Beyonce, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Haddad and Jennifer Lopez.
The annual fashion show features more than 100 garments and each of the models wear eight to 10 garments from the senior collection and at least four each from the junior collection.
“Basically it focuses on the senior collections, students who are graduating to show their designs and skills,” VCUQatar’s Fashion Design assistant professor Ali Khan told Gulf Times.
“We also have a few collections from the juniors and sophomores as well just to get them a chance to see how the fashion system works, get them experience, motivate, and excite them about their collections,” he said.
He noted that the junior collection focuses more about the designer’s sports wear while the senior collection is very open and independent to the students.
Some students focus on men’s wear, some on formal wear, and others on casual wear, according to Khan. “It is their choice, we don’t dictate it to them, and we want them to find out who they are as designers.”
The senior collection is an eclectic mix of day-to-evening looks that reflect the individual aesthetic of each student. It consists of designs that reinforce the individual vision, creativity and styles of the young designers. The sophomore collection enthralled the audience as it highlights the importance of sustainability, aiming “zero waste design.” It focused on children’s wear incorporating women’s look.
VCUQatar also presented some of the collections of a select group of seniors from the Fashion Department at VCUarts in Richmond. These included Carlos Ramirez, Jennifer Kim, MJ Koo and Rafie Khoshbin.
Khan said they have been organising the fashion show to bring the people from the industry to see the works of their students.
“Eventually it is about placements and getting these students into work and show their skills off,” said Khan, adding that they try to further improve the event each year.
The fashion show will continue today and tomorrow from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Tickets cost QR50 and can be purchased online.
Salam and The Gate Mall are the partners. Students will have the opportunity to use dedicated space at Salam Stores, platforms to showcase collections at W Hotels, and a magazine fashion spread.