May 31, 2011

Qatar's Next Big Designer: Selina Farooqui





On Thursday (June 2, 2011) I'm going off to the W Hotel Doha to see Doha-based Indian designer and recent Virginia Commonwealth Qatar (VCU Qatar) graduate Selina Farooqui's latest collection. If you are in Qatar (or nearby) and also want to attend, you can RSVP Selina directly by emailing her at selina.farooqui@gmail.com or calling (00974) 3306 5743.


A bit about Selina, who just graduated from VCU Qatar a few weeks ago, winning the W Doha and VCU Qatar Fashion Award, VCU Qatar Award for Special Recognition for Outstanding Fashion Student for her senior collection as well as VCU Qatar's Golden Needle Award twice for being such an amazing and hard-working student...This girl is extremely talented - when she was still in her Junior year (she studied Fashion Design) she was approached by Cugini, one of Qatar's chicest boutiques (situated in The Pearl Qatar) and ended up getting her whole collection stocked and sold there! Since then, she's been a firm favorite at Cugini as well as with many private clients. 



Selina Farooqui standing next to her collection in Cugini


  Since then she has developed her own eponymous label, "Selina Farooqui", and has had her collections showcased at fabulous trunk shows including one at Zai Boutique, another one of Qatar's most prestigious boutiques.


Her first collection had a lot of Indian and ethnic undertones to it using a varitey of luxe fabrics like brocade, silk and chiffon. Selina says she sources her inspiration from everywhere - nature, art, objects, different countries and cultures, people and history. “One thing does remain constant in my style of design. There is always a hint of rich ethnic undertones, whether it is in the choice of colors, fabric prints, buttons, trims, or other details. I think that part of my design aesthetic comes from my own background and culture,” says Selina. She has also taken up making custom-made jalabiyyas for private clients, which involves a lot of emebellishments and incorporates Arabic flavors. What's unique about her designs are that they look so luxurious, so opulent, so dreamy and romantic, and yet they are light and easy to wear.


Of her graduating senior collection she told Qatar-based fashion magazine Glam, "My collection is inspired by the transformation from winter to spring. The colours start off in the pastels range and as the collection continues, the shades get deeper and richer, like flowers coming into bloom. The silhouette has a bit of volume around the body,  making it easy to wear, but with the waist defined with handmade belts. It features luxurious French brocades, creamy chiffons, handmade pleats, silk flowers, opaque crystal and matte sequin embellishment".

Ah, the collection sounds heavenly; I can't wait to see it!





Selina modelling her own design



Selina modelling her own design


Selina modelling her own design


Selina modelling her own design


Selina modelling her own design





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