Qatar Creates And Naomi Campbell Come Together To Host The Emerge Initiative

Naomi Campbell

Qatar Creates and EMERGE, a global charitable initiative dedicated to uniting the fashion and creative industries as a force for good, will host a fashion show and VIP dinner, held under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani and co-hosted by spokesperson and founder of EMERGE Powered by Fashion For Relief, international supermodel, Naomi Campbell.

The charity gala and fashion show will take place on 28 October at Ceremonial Court, Education City, to support Alternative Education and investment in young creative and business talent from emerging regions with a focus in Africa, the Diaspora and developing communities around the world.

Founded in 2005 and inspired by Naomi Campbell’s friendship with former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, Fashion For Relief brings the international fashion, entertainment, design and music industry together to raise funds for various important causes and humanitarian crises, while promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all. This year’s iteration of the event will bring the fashion and creative industries’ most prominent names to Doha, through their new initiative EMERGE. This initiative will create new apprenticeships, after school programmes and university programmes focused on creative and alternative industries such as general education, fashion, technology, art, sustainable innovations and agriculture.

EMERGE will unfold in three main events leading to a grand Couture Show. While the Art Exhibit will highlight leading and acclaimed young artists, led by Art Masters such Kehinde Wiley or Victor Ehikhamenor, the Fashion Exhibit will showcase a selection of award-winning fashion designers from Africa, the Diaspora and the Middle East, such as Thebe Magugu, Bianca Saunders and  Abdel El Tayeb. The creative and business event EMERGE Talk will bring leading professionals together to discuss the future of alternative industries after an opening conversation on the power of creativity in business between Naomi Campbell, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa and Kehinde Wiley.

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the driving force behind Qatar Creates, said: “With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, we stand at the cusp of an incredible moment for our region. It is our responsibility to seize this moment and draw the attention of the international community towards causes that benefit marginalised people across the globe. I am grateful to EMERGE for joining our efforts, and I am confident that we can harness this opportunity to uplift and empower those who need it most, while creating cultural milestones.” 

The charity gala is a ticketed event and will feature a fashion show where established designers will showcase their work, followed by an auction and VIP dinner. In the past, celebrities such as Kate Moss, Jane Fonda and Beyoncé, as well as models like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Winnie Harlow, have walked in the charity show. The event will spotlight talented award-winning designers from Africa, the Diaspora and the Middle East. 

The EMERGE gala is part of Qatar Creates’ unprecedented schedule of high-profile events geared toward the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and beyond. Saad Al Hudaifi, Executive Director of Qatar Creates, lauded this important step on Qatar Creates’ journey on becoming a vehicle for culture and entertainment, saying: “Our mission at Qatar Creates is to champion cultural dialogue and to curate the most engaging activities and events for our country. The EMERGE gala is a highlight in our calendar and a high point for the international fashion and creative industries, giving us an opportunity to collaborate on timely initiatives that can create true impact for others.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased through Qatar Creates. One Pass holders can avail priority access and discounts through the Qatar Creates portal. For additional information on Qatar Creates and the One Pass, please visit www.qacreates.com