Welcome to Fashion Trust Arabia, the first initiative of its kind in the Arab world

About Us

FTA is a non-profit organization that provides financial support, guidance and mentorship to emerging designers from across the MENA, while also functioning as a platform of opportunity through which talented Arab designers can grow and receive international recognition.

FTA Prize is the first of its kind initiative in the Arab world. The first edition was successfully launched in 2018, under the patronage and presence of FTA’s Honorary Chair HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Co-chairs HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani and Tania Fares at an awards ceremony event held Doha, Qatar. Six winning designers were selected across five different design categories. The prize is currently on its fifth edition taking place in Doha on October 2023.

Each year, winning designers will receive a financial grant; $100,000 to $200,000 cash prize, depending on the size of their business, plus $25,000 for the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award. Ready-to-Wear, Accessories and Jewelry category winners will also receive a one-year mentorship program from London-based global luxury retailer MATCHES FASHION, who will carry their collections. Harrods will carry the evening-wear category winner’s collection.

In addition to retail opportunities, FTA offers winners incredible benefits, including mentorships with Bicester Village and showroom representation and PR consultancy by Maison Pyramide. In  2021,  FTA  introduced  a  separate  Guest  Country  Award. The importance of helping young creatives build a global network of contacts and support system lies at the core of this initiative. It represents an opportunity for designers from emerging markets to exchange knowledge and encourage dialogue between cultures. 2021 hosted Colombia as guest country while 2022 hosted Turkey.

FTA is dedicated to supporting and highlighting Arab creatives by shedding the light on talents and creatives from the MENA region while supporting and promoting their work through its platforms through features with topics that range from style, beauty, travel, designer profiles, exclusive interviews, to sustainability, retail and e-commerce, all aimed at highlighting the MENA region. FTA regularly collaborates and partners with brands on capsule collections aimed at fundraising for its community of designers.

The Team

Hala Achkar

Managing director

[email protected]

Marta Hraoui

Curator and communications director

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Dana Nassour Khairallah

Social media strategist

[email protected]

Tatiana Akl

Art Director

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Elina Barouk

Graphic designer

[email protected]

Andrew Mahfouz

Brand Executive & EA

[email protected]