Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA): Empowering Emerging Designers in MENA
Date: May 12 2025
Location: Initial selection phase will take place in Mumbai, India,Final: Doha, Qatar, in November 2025
Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA)
Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging designers from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Founded in 2018 by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and co-chaired by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani and Tania Fares, FTA provides financial grants, mentorship, and global exposure to talented creatives.
FTA Prize 2025 Explained: Webinar for Designers in Qatar
The Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) event venue varies depending on the stage of the competition. In 2025, the initial selection phase will take place in Mumbai, India, where shortlisted designers will showcase their collections. The final round of selections will be held in Doha, Qatar, in November 2025.
M7 is teaming up with @fashiontrustarabia to host an exclusive webinar for designers in Qatar, offering insights on how to successfully apply for the FTA Prize 2025.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ Selection criteria & prize categories – Understand the different awards and what judges look for.
✅ Key elements of a strong application – Tips to make your submission stand out.
✅ Common mistakes to avoid – Learn from past experiences to improve your chances.
Special Guest:
@aliabinomair – Previous FTA finalist, sharing her first-hand experience and advice.
Where & When?
📍 Platform: Zoom
📌 Register now:
📩 Participants will receive the link via email before the session
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and boost your chances of winning the FTA Prize 2025!
HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser & Fashion Trust Arabia
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, a Qatari royal and global philanthropist, is the Honorary Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA), an initiative dedicated to supporting emerging designers from the MENA region.
Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA)
✅ Founded in 2018, FTA provides financial grants, mentorship, and global exposure to talented designers.
✅ Annual FTA Awards celebrate fashion innovation, offering winners retail opportunities and industry connections.
✅ Sheikha Moza’s Influence – As a style icon, she promotes regional designers and has been recognized for her elegance and fashion-forward vision.
Sheikha Moza’s Fashion Legacy
- Featured in Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed Hall of Fame.
- Known for power dressing, blending modest fashion with haute couture.
- Supports luxury brands like Valentino, Chanel, and Dior.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani: A Leading Cultural Visionary
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani is a prominent Qatari figure known for her influence in the art world and cultural development.
She is the sister of Qatar’s ruling Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the daughter of the former Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Key Roles & Contributions
✅ Chairperson of Qatar Museums – Oversees national art acquisitions, with an estimated budget of $1 billion per year.
✅ Founder & Chairperson of Doha Film Institute – Supports regional filmmakers and hosts the Ajyal Film Festival.
✅ Chairperson of Reach Out to Asia – A philanthropic initiative focused on education and disaster relief in Asia.
✅ Board Member of Qatar Leadership Centre – Works on leadership development programs.
Influence in the Art World
- Recognized as one of the most influential figures in global art.
- Led Qatar’s acquisition of Paul Gauguin’s « When Will You Marry? » for $300 million in 2015.
- Organized major exhibitions featuring Takashi Murakami, Richard Serra, and Damien Hirst.
Education & Background
📍 Duke University (USA) – Bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Literature. 📍 Columbia University (USA) – Master’s degree. 📍 Sciences Po Paris (France) – Studied political sciences.
Tania FARES
Fashion Trust Arabia Awards 2025
The FTA Awards 2025 mark the 7th edition of this prestigious initiative, celebrating the region’s most promising designers. Applications are now open, offering winners:
✅ Financial grants ranging from $25,000 to $200,000, depending on the category.
✅ Retail opportunities, including showcasing collections at Harrods for one season.
✅ Industry mentorship from leading fashion experts.
✅ Global exposure through partnerships and media coverage.
Award Categories
- Evening Wear
- Ready-to-Wear
- Accessories
- Jewelry (Fine & Fashion)
- Debut Talent (graduates from 2023, 2024, or 2025)
- Fashion Tech Award
Official Announcement
FTA Prize 2025 Explained: Webinar for Designers in Qatar
M7 is teaming up with @fashiontrustarabia to host an exclusive webinar for designers in Qatar, offering insights on how to successfully apply for the FTA Prize 2025.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ Selection criteria & prize categories – Understand the different awards and what judges look for.
✅ Key elements of a strong application – Tips to make your submission stand out.
✅ Common mistakes to avoid – Learn from past experiences to improve your chances.
Special Guest:
@aliabinomair – Previous FTA finalist, sharing her first-hand experience and advice.
Where & When?
📍 Platform: Zoom
📌 Register now: 📩 Participants will receive the link via email before the session
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and boost your chances of winning the FTA Prize 2025!
The decision was revealed at the FTA Awards 2024, where Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Tania Fares, and Isha Ambani announced India’s designation as the Guest Country for 2025.
Guest Country 2025: India
Each year, FTA selects a guest country to promote cross-cultural exchange. In 2025, India has been chosen, with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre supporting the initiative. This partnership highlights India’s textile heritage and growing influence in global fashion.
Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) Welcomes India as Guest Country for 2025
Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) selects a guest country each year to promote cross-cultural exchange in fashion. For 2025, India has been chosen, with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) supporting the initiative.
We are LIVE!
Announcing the FTA Directory — Our Little Black Book of Creatives!
Purpose & Impact
✅ Celebrating India’s Textile Heritage – Showcasing traditional craftsmanship and modern fashion innovation.
✅ Global Fashion Influence – Recognizing India’s expanding role in the luxury fashion industry.
✅ Cross-Cultural Collaboration – Strengthening ties between Middle Eastern and Indian designers.
FTA Team
Fashion Trust Arabia Contact:
Sources: FTA – Fashionn Trust Arabia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashiontrustarabia/
Website: https://www.fashiontrustarabia.com/
FTA – FASHION TRUST ARABIA Sponsors
Media Partners:
Why AI Fashion Mag & DN Africa Support Fashion Trust Arabia
AI Fashion Mag and DN Africa support Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) because they share a common mission: promoting innovation, sustainability, and emerging talent in the fashion industry.
AI Fashion Mag’s Role
📌 Explores AI-driven fashion innovations – Covers cutting-edge technologies in design, retail, and sustainability.
📌 Highlights emerging trends – Showcases AI-powered fashion collaborations.
📌 Supports decentralized fashion – Investigates how Web 3.0 and blockchain are transforming the industry.
DN Africa’s Contribution
📌 Promotes African & MENA designers – Aligns with FTA’s mission to empower regional talent.
📌 Provides media coverage – Features FTA winners and fashion events.
📌 Encourages cross-cultural exchange – Strengthens ties between African, Middle Eastern, and European fashion industries
AI FASHION MAG
Introducing AI FASHION MAG, a groundbreaking fusion of Human Ingenuity & Technological Innovation.
This pioneering AI fashion magazine showcases the boundless possibilities that arise when creativity harmonizes with cutting-edge technology.
AI FASHION MAG COVER – By Zoubida Yasmine TALEB SS2025 Couture Collection
Exploring the intersection of fashion, artificial intelligence, and Web 3.0 technologies.
The magazine delves into how AI and decentralized web technologies are reshaping the fashion industry, offering in-depth articles, interviews with industry experts, and coverage of technological advancements and emerging trends.
AI Fashion Mag serves as an essential source of information for fashion professionals, technology enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the evolving landscape of the fashion world.
The magazine covers a wide range of topics, including AI-generated designs, virtual fashion shows, sustainable practices, and personalized customer experiences.
Through its comprehensive coverage and expert insights, AI Fashion Mag aims to provide a deep understanding of how AI is transforming creativity, sustainability, production, and consumption in the fashion industry.
The magazine also emphasizes the importance of ethical standards and environmental consciousness in the fashion sector.
AI FRIENDLY
Friendly Artificial Intelligence (FAI): A Paradigm for Beneficial AGI Development
Friendly Artificial Intelligence (FAI) is a conceptual framework designed to ensure that advancements in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) align with humanity’s best interests. By focusing on ethical integration, safety measures, and human-centric oversight, FAI aims to channel technological progress into a force for global well-being.
Key Principles of Friendly Artificial Intelligence
Ethical Foundations: FAI emphasizes the importance of embedding ethical considerations into AGI systems, ensuring that decisions made by intelligent machines are aligned with human values.
Robust Safety Mechanisms: These include fail-safes and control measures to mitigate risks associated with AGI, such as unintended consequences or malicious use.
Human Oversight and Collaboration: FAI advocates for human involvement in the development and operation of AGI systems, ensuring transparency and accountability in their actions.
DN-A INTERNATIONAL
EXPERT SEO, CEO & Owner, DN-AFRICA.COM Fashion Photographer
Daniel Nguyen is the CEO and owner of DN-Africa, a premier African fashion magazine that is revolutionizing the landscape of the African fashion industry and elevating the global fashion arena to new heights .
The magazine offers an unparalleled digital journey tailored for professionals within the Fashion Industry.
It curates an array of distinctive services encompassing editorial content, photography, and video resources.
The goal of DN-Africa is to provide African fashion trends through cultural and fashion events and to identify new faces and talents. By mixing up massive and complex digital data, DN-Africa creates strategic leverage for designers who want to improve their global image on the internet faster.
DN-A INTERNATIONAL, also known as DN AFRICA, is a dynamic online platform dedicated to French fashion news.
Founded by Daniel Nguyen, the platform caters to professionals in the fashion industry, spotlighting designers, artists, events, and fashion shows.
DN AFRICA provides a unique digital experience, offering editorial content, photography, and video resources to elevate and amplify the creations and communication strategies of fashion professionals.
The platform has evolved into a powerful web presence, strategically positioned to showcase designers and fashion events across the digital landscape.
DN AFRICA is known for its commitment to promoting African fashion trends and identifying new faces and talents.
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