M7, a creative startups hub dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship established by Qatar Museums for the nation’s growing fashion and design industry, kicks off today a series of online coaching sessions by leaders in the field.
M7, a creative startups hub dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship established by Qatar Museums for the nation’s growing fashion and design industry, yesterday announced a biweekly series of online coaching sessions by leaders in the field, intended to guide and encourage aspiring designers.
Although the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the full inauguration of M7, these exclusive online coaching sessions — live each Thursday and Saturday on the M7 Instagram account, @M7.qatar, at 6pm — will provide ongoing inspiration and support until normal activities may resume.
A new five-storey, 29,000sqm facility, M7 is located in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, the mixed-use development that is reviving the city’s historic core as a sustainable new live-work neighbourhood.
M7 serves to advance the careers of Qataris in creative industries, especially design and fashion; train aspiring entrepreneurs in creative fields; spark creativity in people of all ages and backgrounds through exhibitions, performances, films, educational programs, and public discussions; and help connect Qatar’s innovators with the world.
Maha Al Sulaiti, Acting Director, M7 said: “The day when M7’s beautiful facilities are bustling with activity has unfortunately been postponed, but creativity and innovation in Qatar cannot wait. We are moving ahead to support Qatar’s up-and-coming design industry hone their skills through these online talks, which are certain to benefit emerging talents as they explore, collaborate, and grow into successful entrepreneurs.”
Through the online coaching sessions, local and international leaders in the industry are giving their insights into topics such as nurturing creativity and skills during difficult times, making use of technology in the fashion business, testing products in the market, developing a business plan, and promoting products through a programme of marketing and public relations.
Each of the sessions reflect one of M7’s founding principles: to inspire, Equip, Validate, Empower, Accelerate, Connect and Promote.
The series of online coaching sessions will kick off today and on Saturday at 6pm with “Inspire” featuring sessions with interior designer Chris Wolston and textile designer Karl-Artur Korsar who will talk about how they keep themselves inspired with the resources at hand during this challenging period of the pandemic, as well as design and brand identity.
It will be followed by “Equip” on April 16 and 18 in which Amir Berbic, Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar, and Maryam Al Sumait, the co-founder of the design service agency Makery, will discuss different applications that designers can use to produce and launch their products.
On April 23 and 25, Oleg Fazulyanow, CEO of Fashion Consult Group Milan, and Tariel Bisharian, CEO of Emerging Talent Milan Showroom, will talk about the business of fashion and how designers can test if their products will work in a target market in a session dubbed “Validate.”
Next is “Empower” on April 30 and May 2 which will see Nez Gebreel, global brand and talent developer and Fashion Trust Arabia board member, and creative director Mirna Naccache discuss how designers can empower their creative voices.
Aysha Al Mudahka, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnership Development at QF and Former CEO of the Qatar Business Incubation Center, and Stefano Bellandi, CEO of Cipriani Couture, will share how to build a business plan from concept to production in “Accelerate” scheduled on May 7 and 9.
Slated on May 14 and 16 is “Connect” featuring Khalifa Al Haroon, Founder of ILoveQatar, and Harriet Gyamfuah, Founder of Creatives Amplified, who will discuss ways for designers to stay connected with their customers using digital platforms.
Finally on May 21 and 23, “Promote” will see Bianca Brigitte Bonomi, Editor in Chief of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, and Kai Margrander, Fashion Director of Harper’s Bazaar Germany, speak about the impact of media placements and promotion of design.
