Qatar: New Home of Culture & High Fashion?
The Guardian Fashion Blog is excited about the rise of the Qatar Luxury Group and other cultural developments in Qatar.
"The Qataris can learn lessons from Dubai, but to the naked eye it seems similar," says Hales. "They get involved in landmarks. If they can get involved in something first they will, and the type of brands they're buying are iconic." Hales doesn't know where all the purchasing and construction will lead but says the next decade will be "very exciting". "We're in the middle of a paragraph rather than the end of it," he adds.
In 2008, arts writer Georgina Adam told the Guardian that Gulf states were beginning to see culture as a missing part of the puzzle. "They have the ritzy airports, big towers and financial institutions, but they want to get culture and they're very competitive. Qatar wants to distinguish itself from Dubai, which is seen as brash." John Martin, director of Art Dubai, said: "Doha and Dubai represent a new type of city and culture, they don't have the cultural baggage. Nobody has written any rules and anything can happen."
It's interesting how you sometimes miss out on all the amazing growth taking place around you. I'm going to try to get my head out above the cranes and expect amazing ;)
nabunabeeb, what do you think all the Arabs who go shopping in London and Paris buy? I tell you...the newest and latest designer wear, we are talking Chanel, Dior etc. here.
Furthermore, who do you think buys in Blue Salon, Salam etc? Mostly Arabs. And they are not buying abayas..well, that too, of course. ;)
Oh and do you know who owns Harrod's in London? If not, give it a google....and the Lambos parked in front have Qatar plates...they are not going there to buy abayas either...
and nabunabeeb...you know what else ? The stuff they wear is Western...and you know what else? There are actually arabic designers that deasign Western style clothes...for Arabs too! Shocking, right? :P
some people have a wrong judgement...dat Fashion is the word lying with western garments...as well as short half naked stuffs....
Erwin...Arabs( Muslims) have their own culture and they dress according to that, they are very comfortable with that..
What about Culture! What kind of culture are we talking about. World capital of imported Sport events or imported western culture!
I think they should stick to their roots and open more up to the outside world and invest in their culture which they can proud of rather than copying western cultures!
Finally I found the good blog to read on your website. Thanks for sharing the good contents and I have enjoyed reading it.
Thank you
zipp 202
Iconic brands does not translate to culture - does it ?
Don't you think Black and white are always 'in' and the most gorgeous colors :)
Erwin...ok.
well, its UNDERwear! :)
Erwin, what do you think they wear UNDER those black "dresses"?
yes, locals can afford BUT... still they prefer the "black & white" dress hanging around the country.
In my entire stay in Qatar, i NEVER seen a local wearing a high fashioned dress, i mean other than the usual ... i usually catch them in their cultural black (for ladies) & white (for men) dress.
wrong erwin, it is the locals who can and do actually afford/ buy high fashion....not so much the expats.
high fashion? maybe YES for the expats.. but for the local, i don't think so.. they prefer the "black & white" dress.