Here are the Fashion Trust Arabia finalists who got our attention

At this time, more than ever, emerging designers need support and opportunities to nurture their creative brands and move forward. Fashion Trust Arabia, the non-profit organization on mission to support emerging talents in the Middle East and North Africa, announced its finalists in every category.

All finalists will present their work to the Fashion Trust Arabia jury on March 25 in Doha. Winners will be announced in the evening during a physical and virtual ceremony. Five winning designers (1 designer from each category) will receive a final grant cup of $200,000 along with a one-year partnership with the London-based global luxury retailer Matchesfashion.com, inclusive of a mentorship program.

Meet the finalists in the Accessories Category Award who combined their life stories with their creative designs.

Accessories Award

Dania Shinkar – Saudi Arabia

Founded by Dania Shinkar in 2019, the namesake brand, DANIA SHINKAR, is a Saudi/ Ireland-based contemporary and sustainable bag brand. The brand aims to create unique eye-catching pieces that stand out from mass-produced fashion.

Dania Shinkar, a Saudi Arabian contemporary womenswear fashion designer and illustrator, with a specialism in textiles print from London College of Fashion, gets her inspiration from art, architecture and vintage design. Dania’s passionate relationship with color is apparent in her fashion forward prints that explore color separation, color overlays and color blocking. By merging unconventional shapes and eccentric accents with quality materials and Italian craftsmanship, the label is the epitome of playful luxury.

Bilal Fellah – Port Tanger - Algeria

Inspired by the prolific and tumultuous city of Tangier, Port Tanger is a luxury eyewear brand that embodies and celebrates the DNA and vibrant lifestyle of the Moroccan city. The eyewear designer Bilal Fellah originally started the eyewear project in 2017 before meeting Sumarna, a boutique firm, who was able to bring his skills from working as an Art and Creative Director for brands such as Prada. The label is an ode to the sun-drenched lifestyle of that Moroccan city and each shade refers to one of the city’s characteristics brining the Afro vibes to each look.

Haya AbdulKareem – Folklore – Kuwait

Ethically and sustainably made label Folklore, presents contemporary handbags crafted in Spain and designed in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti designer and Central St. Martins graduate launched her label in 2014. The brand focuses on bringing geometric and modern aesthetics into functional accessories. Limited styles and exclusivity is the brands ethos. Focusing on artisan production and using high quality Italian leather.

Each collection is inspired by art, design, history, traditions and Folklore.

Zakaria Bendriouich – Morocco

Moroccan bag designer and artisan Zakaria Bendriouich was born and raised in Marrakesh. A former student at Casablanca’s Collège LaSalle, he went through a life-changing accident and that’s when he created the sustainable Bidou bags, which were conceived in order for Zakaria to hold his water bottles all day for health reasons, but in a stylish way. The designer produces his handmade leather bags using recycled plastic jerrycans. Fans of the Bidou Bags include supermodel Naomi Campbell.