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Following the launch of Qasimi Rising’s inaugural fashion incubator program to support emerging designers, London-based label Qasimi has announced the first batch of winners who have received 3 years of funding and 10 years of mentorship.
Staying true to the brand’s Middle Eastern heritage, the competition took place as part of the Sharjah Biennial – a large-scale contemporary art exhibition held every two years in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and was curated by Qasimi’s creative director Hur Al Qasimi.
According to Al Qasimi, the next phase of Qasimi’s journey goes beyond “selling more clothes”. Al Qasimi, who took over the label from her late twin brother Khaled Al Qasimi, has been promoting innovation in fashion since establishing the inclusive brand: “It’s not just because of the legacy they left behind. It’s something you’ll do in the future.”
London-based Sudanese designer Omar Asim and award-winning Lebanese designer Salim Azam, which includes access to a multi-brand wholesale department in London as well as the brand’s e-commerce platform, in addition to direct bespoke consultancy/support from Kasimi.
Azam’s hand-embroidered artisan clothing elevates Lebanese heritage with contemporary silhouettes. Azam says the iconic brand, which he founded 7 years ago, is “reviving and rethinking the skills of the artisan community in Lebanon.” “Inspired by those women who use these crafts to express themselves and where I come from, [the brand] It pays homage to the humble customs of the people who live there.
Asim, whose designs are already sold at high-end department store Selfridges, is known for folding and fraying each garment to reveal the inner workings. “One of the things we’re most excited about is how you interact with the clothes and the process,” says Asim, who has the brand’s signature aesthetic. “When you have something moving on you and adjust it to your taste or style? It’s a completely different bodily experience.”
Other finalists include Laura Pitaras, Alicia Robinson — AGR, and Sentir Studio by Saleh Kelarge. Although Al Qasimi declined to confirm the exact financial support received by the new winners, most finalists see the consultancy as very valuable to the growth of their brands.
“We need help from the manufacturing side, to continue our growth, and I want to bring in mentors in terms of brand strategy,” says Robinson, whose London brand is featured on Lewis Hamilton. Nicki Minaj and Rita Ora. “Qasimi are experts in their field. I think it’s amazing that they put it all together with the art foundation and fashion.
In the year The program, which started in December 2022, has attracted a lot of international talent and can serve as an indicator of the artistic direction Qasimi is taking as a brand. According to Al Qasimi, Qasimi has collaborated with artists from various fields to include more designs and will soon relaunch its e-commerce platform to accommodate its emerging brands and create a digital space for them to build a brand identity and sell products.
Regarding other organizations such as Fashion Trust Arabia and Qasimi Racing’s potential for young talent, Al Qasimi commented that he is “open to more”. “What we can bring is the artistic side, the creative side, focused on craftsmanship, sustainability and community, thinking about designers and fashion as artists and creatives, rather than business makers.”
For more information on Qasimi Rising, see www.qasimi.com.
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