Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani led the Fashion Trust Arabia gala dinner on Thursday evening at El Badii Palace in Marrakech. This event was part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture initiative.
Upon her arrival, Princess Lalla Hasnaa was welcomed by Sheikha Al Mayassa and Tania Fares, Vice President of Fashion Trust Arabia. They observed a presentation by the Auxiliary Forces before being greeted by various dignitaries, including Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, and Qatar’s Ambassador to Morocco, Abdullah bin Thamer Al Thani, among others.
The guest list included notable officials such as the Wali of the Marrakech-Safi region, Farid Chourak, and President of the Regional Council, Samir Koudar. Furthermore, Adel El Fakir, the Director-General of the National Airports Authority, and Saad Saleh Al Hudaifi, the Director of Events and Partnerships, were also present.
After viewing a photography exhibition by Tala Hadid, the gala dinner commenced with a video showcasing significant moments from Fashion Trust Arabia. In her welcome speech, Dutch model Imaan Hammam, who has Moroccan roots, highlighted the importance of this event in promoting and supporting designers from the MENA region, celebrating the cultural essence of Marrakech as a source of inspiration for countless creators.
Sheikha Al Mayassa emphasized that this was the first time Fashion Trust Arabia was held in Africa, underscoring Morocco’s rich history and culture as the ideal backdrop for this event. She shared that Fashion Trust Arabia aims to uplift Arab designers and the broader creative industries while bridging connections between talents and the industry. She announced the establishment of the Qatar Fashion Craft Council to further support creativity in the Arab world and foster collaboration among regional and international experts in various creative fields.
Tania Fares noted the progress made by Fashion Trust Arabia in becoming a globally recognized platform, uniting business leaders, creators, and designers. Isha Ambani, Director of Reliance Jio Infocomm, revealed that India would be the guest of honor at the next Fashion Trust Arabia in 2025.
The awards ceremony followed the introduction of designers via video. Princess Lalla Hasnaa presented the top prize in the Evening Wear category to Yasmine Mansour, while other awards were given to designers across multiple categories, recognizing creativity in Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Jewelry, Fashion Technology, and more. Notably, Spain was honored as the Guest Country.
This event stands as a testament to the enduring cultural ties between Qatar and Morocco, reflecting the collaborative spirit of both nations and their leaders.
