Collections by students from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar’s (VCUQatar’s) Fashion Design programme were on display during ‘Appliqué’, the two-day fashion show on 12 and 13 April, which was hosted by Salam Stores at The Gate Mall. 

This unique show, which featured the collections of 22 sophomore, junior, and senior fashion students, was opened by Sandra Wilkins, VCUQatar’s Chair of Fashion Design, who thanked the audience for attending.

The title of this year’s fashion show was “Appliqué”, which depicts the building of talents and skillsets, while showcasing the ability of students to take a concept all the way through to completion.

 

Also presenting their designs at ‘Appliqué’ were several students from the fashion design programme from the home campus from Richmond, Virginia.

Ahmed El Sayed, the co-founder of House of Nomad and VCUQatar alumnus, was the guest designer for the show, where his most recent collection was presented to great acclaim.

The fashion show allowed the students to be judged by experienced jury members who have a thorough knowledge of the fashion industry.

The emphasis throughout was one of turning creative concepts into ready-to-wear pieces for the runway, which not only had to be beautiful, but also wearable and above all marketable. Fashion professionals, especially retailers are regularly invited each year to review the collections and concepts, and give their expert advice to the students.

The Salam Fashion Award was presented to Radheya Visperas. The award includes mentoring in the development and design of two bespoke collections, which will be sold exclusively within a dedicated space in Salam Stores, Doha. Designs by the previous winner Mahnoor Ansari are currently on sale at Salam Stores at the Gate Mall.

Awards

  • VCUQatar’s Golden Needle Award Best Senior Collection – Samyah Abou Rahma
  • Salam Fashion Award – Radheya Visperas
  • The W Doha Award – Sarah Al Abdulghani
  • GLAM award – Sarah Al Abdulghani and Samyah Abou Rahma
  • Most Outstanding Junior Collection – Fatima Al Khulaifi
  • Most Outstanding Sophomore Collection – Heidi Rashad
  • Outstanding Senior with Highest GPA – Radheya Visperas
  • Outstanding Junior with Highest GPA – Alia Al Sowaidi
  • Outstanding Junior with Highest GPA – Sreehitha Saini
  • Outstanding Sophomore with Highest GPA – Heidi Rashad
  • Guest Designer Award – Ahmed El Sayed (House of Nomad)

Awards were also given to Deborah Sedlacek, Joshua Bigelow, Skyler Crawford and Lydia Critchfield from Virginia Commonwealth University’s home campus in Richmond, Virginia for their Senior Collections which were shown at the event.

Five VCUQatar students will have their collections shown at the home campus annual fashion show which will take place 10 May.

The fashion show counts not only on an extremely supportive audience, but was also supported by W Doha Hotel, GLAM magazine, Tajmeel Qatar International Beauty Academy, Makeup District, Bombay Silk Centre, Exclusive Events, Inglot, Tribal Gems & Jewellery, Apparel Qatar, Holika Holika, and Sara’s Secrets.

For more information about VCUQatar, visit their website