DOHA: The magnificent style and the very epitome of a royalty of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser have push the innovation boundaries of a young designer to create a wardrobe ‘fit for a queen.’

“H H Sheikha Moza is a fashion icon and everybody dreams to design for her,” says Khaltham Daham Al Kuwari, a fashion design student, who will graduate this week from the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar.

Khaltham at the VCU-Q’s annual fashion show held last week, showcased traditional Asian inspired ethnic elements which Her Highness could wear if she were to visit the region.

Sheikha Moza’s role as a strong and empowering First Lady, especially when it comes to creativity and knowledge, has inspired Khaltham to push her innovative boundaries to create a wardrobe.

“Elegance first comes to mind when thinking about Sheikha Moza, her unique character as being a worldwide fashion icon for many years now, has helped me dedicate a lot of my attention and passion to her majestic wardrobe,” says Khaltham.

Fashion design students at the VCU-Q have to work for a fashion show for which they should come out with a theme. Though Khaltham had many themes in mind she finally chose Sheikah Moza’s wardrobe.

“I had lot of themes, but at the end I had this theme, that I think is original, which is the Sheikha Moza wardrobe when she goes to Asian countries,” said Khaltham.

Her designs are conservative and long but takes from the traditional costumes of India, Pakistan, Japan, China and Korea

“I took the basic element of each Asian country and then just added the basic thing that she (Sheikha Moza) would wear,” said Khaltham.

Explaining about her designs Khaltham said: “This is her wardrobe when she goes to India or Pakistan. I took the saree element then I incorporated that to a top and a long skirt with a turban and the big sun glasses.”

A long skirt made out of ready made green silk fabric and gold embroidery and a long full sleeve blouse is another design I made. “I took readymade Indian silk fabric to make the skirt, then I brought the green fabric and I made the top, she can wear that when she goes to Asian countries. She can wear it in India and Pakistan,” said Khaltham.

“The blue jumpsuit, the bottom of it is very tight, so it looks like the panjabi type pant and I have another one with the Chinese button. I took the idea of the big Korean skirt, which would look like the Chinese and Korean at the same time,” she said.

“The white top and pants with the black looks like a Kimono for Japan. All these designs are based on costumes of famous Asian countries which people would recognise,” Khaltham further explained.

Being a young Qatari designer Khaltham believes in keeping the rich tradition and culture of her country in designing. She also says that the fashion trends and quality had advanced a lot during the past years.

“There is a big change in fashion designing, it had advanced a lot, however we should always uphold our traditions in designs,” said Khaltham.

“Like in Dubai, I hope there will be a Fashion Week here in Qatar soon,” she said.

Khaltham has no big childhood memories of a liking for designing but decided to take fashion designing as a major. She plans to continue designing only as a hobby and to continue her studies in Art history, which she did as a minor at the VCU-Q.

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