How does she find the time? Somehow, between being president of the Sharjah Art Foundation, the Africa Institute, Sharjah Architecture Triennial and the International Biennale Association, Hoor Al Qasimi manages to be creative director of one of the most celebrated fashion brands of the past decade. It’s enough to make you doubt your own ambitions – and time management skills. Since the brand was founded by her twin brother Khalid Al Qasimi in 2015, it has always had ambitions far beyond “selling more clothes.” There was a sense of mission, from the inception. It has always been clear, in the often daring political messaging and avant-garde aesthetics. Qasmi wanted to move the needle when it came to creativity.
Now the brand embarks on a new chapter, refocusing on a curated permanent collection and collaborations with artists from around the world, but perhaps more importantly with the Qasimi Rising Talent Incubation program. “Legacy is not just about what you leave behind. It’s also what you do going forward,” says Al Qasimi. The incubator will support two emerging designers over the course of three years, giving them access to co-working space, production support, product development and so on – all the things you need to create a brand with the kind of impact Qasimi has created. The mentored companies will also be able to sell through Qasimi’s website.
In keeping with Qasimi’s ethos, things are adaptive and organic. Mentorship will be tailored to the brands needs, rather than follow strict criteria, as can often be the case with incubators or fellowships that try to put round pegs in square holes. And don’t think this is a short-term commitment either (not that anyone is calling three-years short-term anymore), designers will receive mentorship for a further seven years after their program ends. That’s a full decade of Qasimi support. For the designers who get it, it’ll be life-changing.
The two selected winners will be announced in a ceremony in Sharjah on March 14.