For immediate release 2 May 2012
Italian Haute Couture Fashion and Interior Design Show Brings “La Dolce Vita” to Doha Invitation-Only Haute Couture Fashion Shows and Interior Design Exhibition to Present the Very Latest Haute Couture Fashion and Interior Design brands from Italy’s Top Creative Talents Doha, Qatar Qatar’s status as an emerging global fashion hub was confirmed today with the launch of a special two-day series of Haute Couture fashion shows and interior design exhibitions. For the first time ever in Qatar, some of the most prestigious high fashion, jewelry, luxury car and yacht, private bank, and interior design brands from Italy will participate in a unique event, including two fine Gala Dinners by the iconic Italian Chef from the St. Regis Rome, organized by MD International. Altaroma, a Rome-based, Italian fashion and interior design consortium representing high-end designers, is bringing some of Italy’s most famous names to Qatar for the series of events, which will be attended by a number of VIPs and famous Haute Couture fashion names. The event is being supported by Commercialbank of Qatar, which is one of the leading Qatari institutions working to encourage the development of the growing fashion business industry. Other participants include St Regis Doha, Ferrari, Riva Yacht, UFC with Rene Caovilla and Santoni , L'Oreal Professional and L'Oreal Make-up. On Wednesday and Thursday, 2-3 May 2012, invited guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with top Italian haute couture fashion and interior design houses such as Renato Balestra, Curiel Couture, Gattinoni, Antonio
Grimaldi, and Sarli Couture,as well asluxury interior designers from Provasi, Baldi, Molteni, Seguso Gianni, Villari, Vetrerie di Empoli,Arnolfo di Cambio, Roberto Cavalli Casa, Blumarine Casa and Versace Home by Grand Royal Furniture at glamorous events to be held at the St. Regis Doha. Adriano Franchi, General Director, Altaroma, said: “We are so excited to be meeting many of the most fashionable people in Doha, where we know there is a great appreciation of Italian art, culture, design and fashion.Doha is a sophisticated market, and we are here to forge new relationships with people and companies whose lives and businesses are enlivened by great design.” Four hundred of Doha’s most fashion-forward women will gather on Wednesday evening, 2 May at the St. Regis Doha Ballroom for a ladies-only haute couture fashion show and dinner. The distinctively elegant and colourful world of Italian haute couture will come to life in a catwalk fashion show staged with European models. The event has been designed by renowned design director Maurizio Favetta ofKingsize Architects. With a catwalk that snakes around tables so everyone has a VIP view of the haute couture gowns and daywear being modelled, an energising mix of music created especially for the show, and elegantly-staged interior design exhibits, the event promises to be a 2012 fashion and design extravaganza. Speaking at the launch of the event, Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, Deputy CEO of Commercialbank, said: “Commercialbank strives to facilitate Qatar’s vision to establish itself a growing fashion business industryin the region through initiatives such as the prestigious Italian Haute Couture event. By supporting this event, we hope to support Qatar’s growing fashion industry by exposing it to some of the world’s most admired, Italian fashion brands.” Mr Al Raisi further commented: “We are confident that this event will cater to the Qatari audience’s keen interest in fashion, arts and culture and we are delighted to bring the beauty of the finest Italian fashion and collectables to our valuable customers and partners. We hope the grandeur and scale of this event will generate a stronger interest from global players in these fields and will strengthen Qatar’s position as an attractive commercial market for foreign brands and businesses. ”
Interior design comes to the forefront on Thursday evening, 3 May, with an interior design reception for Architects & Interior Designers, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the St. Regis Doha Ballroom foyer, showcasingthe Italian interior design brand owners and designers. Immediately following the interior design showcase is a second, invitation-only Haute Couture Fashion Show and Dinner, this time for both men and women, in the St. Regis Doha Ballroom. Reprising the inaugural show, the glamour, colour and vivacity of Italian fashion will be on parade to the delight of those who put fashion at the very centre of their lives. Fashions and interior designs on show throughout the two-day event are available on order from the individual fashion and interiors houses that are participating. - END About MD International MD International is an European-based company, founded by Denis Muller, organizing for over 26 years haute couture fashion events for French designers outside of France, bringing different haute couture designers together in one event. MD International is the only company that brings competing designers together in one incomparably luxurious event for Haute Couture, working with more than 200 owners of luxury brands from all over the world, particularly from the UK, USA, Switzerland, France, and Italy. The company developed the first exhibition on the history of Haute Couture, with references and expertise stems from an experience in the haute couture industry of over 26 years. This Haute Couture Show Tour starting in October 2012 and last until mid-2013 in the most influential countries in the region. About Altaroma Altaroma's founding philosophy was based not only on creating an international stage but also on building an ideal bridge between tradition and contemporary living.In 1988, several Roman institutions joined forces to create Agenzia per la Moda spa. In 2002, it was transformed into a Share-holding consortium thanks to the commitment of the Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Rome and the
Regione Lazio.In 2009, these three partners were also joined by the Provincia which thus became a member of Altaroma's corporate team. About Commercialbank Commercialbank has total assets of QR 69.9 billion as at 31 March 2012. As a full service commercial bank, the Bank offers a full range of corporate, retail, and investment banking services as well as owning and operating exclusive Diners Club franchises in Qatar and Oman. The Bank’s countrywide network includes 27 full service branches and 157 ATMs. Profitable every year since incorporation in 1975, continual investment in technology and human capital, together with a strong capital base and underwriting capability, provides a solid foundation for continued growth. A successful diversification strategy has expanded Commercialbank’s GCC footprint through strategic partnerships with associated banks, the National Bank of Oman (NBO) in Oman and United Arab Bank (UAB) in the UAE. NBO, the second largest bank in Oman with total assets of RO 2.4 billion as at 31 March 2012, has 67 branches in Oman, 3 branches in Egypt and 1 in Abu Dhabi. UAB is headquartered in Sharjah, with total assets of AED 11.6 billion as at 31 March 2012 and operates 14 branches in the UAE. Commercialbank enjoys strong credit ratings of (A) from Fitch, (A1) from Moody’s and (A-) from Standard & Poor’s. The Bank is listed on the Qatar Exchange and was the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) as well as bonds on the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, Commercialbank’s Swiss Franc bond issuance in December 2010, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, is the first public bond issuance by a Qatari bank in Switzerland. The Bank is dedicated to supporting Qatar’s community and social infrastructure through various Corporate Social Responsibility programmes and sponsorship of events such as the Commercialbank Qatar Masters Golf Tournament. www.cbq.com.qa