Doha is preparing to welcome some of the most promising names in contemporary fashion as Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) reveals the finalists for its 2025 Awards. Since its launch in 2018 under the patronage of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and the co-chairmanship of HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani and Tania Fares, the non-profit has become the region’s most influential fashion platform, an incubator where young designers secure not only financial support but also the visibility and mentorship that can catapult them onto the global stage.
This year, the stakes feel even higher. Against a backdrop of shifting economies and a fashion industry grappling with sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusivity, the FTA 2025 finalists represent both continuity and change. Eighteen designers from across the Middle East and North Africa have been shortlisted across six categories, while three designers from India join the roster as part of the Guest Country initiative, in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.
On November 22, 2025, these creatives will present their work to an international jury in Doha, with seven winners announced during the FTA Awards ceremony.
FTA – Mapping the MENA Fashion Vanguard
The FTA Awards have always reflected the dynamism of the MENA region’s fashion ecosystem, but this year’s lineup highlights a particularly diverse mix of aesthetics, disciplines, and cultural influences.
Ready-to-Wear finalists include:
- Shahd AlShehail (ABADIA – Saudi Arabia), who weaves cultural heritage into minimal, modern silhouettes
- Youssef Drissi (LATE FOR WORK – Morocco), known for playful and concept-driven collections
- Iman Coccellato (COCCELLATO – Tunis), blending craftsmanship with contemporary tailoring
In Evening Wear, regional glamour finds new interpretations through:
- Ziyad Albuainain (ZIYAD BUAINAIN – Saudi Arabia), with bold, sculptural lines
- Dana Almulla (DANA ALMULLA – Qatar), rooted in fluid femininity
- Sharifa Alsharif Alhashemi (ONORI – UAE), who marries tradition with architectural precision
Accessories remain a growing export strength for the region. The Accessories finalists are:
- Leila Roukni (TALEL – Morocco), known for her artisanal techniques
- Duha Bukadi (DUHA – Tunis), whose designs celebrate cultural motifs
- Sharifa Alsulaiti & Altaf Almudhayan (THUNA – Kuwait), exploring functional design with luxury finishes
In Jewellery, the finalists include:
- Patrick Boghossian (Lebanon), carrying forward Lebanon’s fine jewellery heritage
- Farah Radwan (FYR JEWELRY – Egypt), crafting pieces with experimental forms
- Clara Chehab (Lebanon), whose work bridges tradition and contemporary artistry
The Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award, dedicated to emerging voices, celebrates:
- Alaa Alaradi (Bahrain)
- Ayham Hassan (Palestine)
- Fatma Elshabbi (Libya)
And in the cutting-edge Fashion Tech category, pushing the boundaries of how technology intersects with design are:
- Assaad Awad (Lebanon)
- Zahia Albakri (Jordan)
- Fatema & Dalal Alkhaja (TOUCHLESS – Bahrain)
FTA Guest Country: India
For the 2025 edition, FTA widens its reach with India as its Guest Country, underscoring the interconnectedness of emerging markets and the shared challenges faced by young designers. The finalists are Kartik Kumra (KARTIK RESEARCH), Ankur Verma (TIL), and Akhil Nagpal (AKHL), all part of a new generation reshaping the South Asian fashion identity with global resonance.
Beyond the Prize: Grants, Retail, and Mentorship
What sets FTA apart from other awards is the scope of opportunities it extends to winners. Prizes range from $50,000 to $200,000, depending on the scale of each designer’s business, with the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award winner receiving $50,000. Yet, the real value lies in access.
Ready-to-Wear, Evening Wear, Accessories, and Jewellery winners will have their collections stocked by Harrods in London and Ounass in the Middle East for one season. The Ready-to-Wear winner will also embark on an internship with Huntsman in London, creating a capsule collection for the retailer’s platform.
Additionally, all winners will participate in a two-day bespoke mentorship program in London, in collaboration with The Bicester Collection, Brand x Society, and the British Fashion Council, as part of a structured pathway into global fashion networks.
A Regional Movement with Global Ambitions
For many of the finalists, simply being on the FTA stage is transformative. Past winners have gone on to secure international stockists, celebrity clients, and collaborations with global brands. The program has also helped shift perceptions: MENA designers are no longer seen as regional players, but as contributors to the global fashion dialogue.
This year’s shortlist also signals a maturing ecosystem. From Lebanon’s storied jewellery houses to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning ready-to-wear scene, from Palestine’s emerging voices to Bahrain’s tech innovators, the finalists reflect both the cultural depth of the region and its forward-looking ambitions. The inclusion of India further positions FTA as a hub for South-South creative exchange, where emerging economies learn, collaborate, and expand together.
Looking Ahead to Doha
As November approaches, the anticipation builds. The awards night in Doha is as much a celebration of creativity as it is a reminder of the region’s potential to shape the future of fashion. In a world still dominated by European and American capitals, Fashion Trust Arabia is carving out a new geography of style, one where Beirut, Riyadh, Tunis, and New Delhi stand shoulder to shoulder with Paris, London, and Milan.
The 2025 finalists embody resilience, innovation, and cultural pride. Their work suggests that the next chapter of global fashion won’t just be written in established ateliers, but in the studios of emerging designers from the MENA region and beyond.
Discover more about FTA through their Instagram, and visit our dedicated fashion archives for more news of regional and international designers.
