Q Life Magazine Q Magazine (US) May 2016 | Page 62
| Issue 2
Generations
of Qatari Talent
Mubarak Al
Thani
“We use a lot of geometric designs
to reflect the historic and modern
buildings that also use these patterns.
Islamic history in the region, Islamic
calligraphy – all these things help
shape my work.”
Mubarak Al Thani is a Qatari artist
and graphic designer, and founder
of Blessed, a high-end pop culture
brand making men’s clothing.
Al Thani’s designs embody the very
essence of Qatar, and Qatari and
Arab culture.
“Everything across the country is
an inspiration I incorporate into the
brand – the famous architectural
designs, the old fabrics used in tents,
the nature, the flora and fauna of the
desert. The logo on our polo shirts is
a camel, the ultimate desert animal.”
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Launched in Qatar in early 2015,
Blessed has big goals. “My designs
aren’t just for Qataris – they’re for
everyone. I would love to branch
out into the United States. Taking
Blessed to Fashion Week around the
world, New York, Paris, that’s the
dream in the near future.”
“I want my designs to show that the
Middle East is about so much more
than problems and crises. We have
great artistic potential, beautiful
architectural and fashion work.
This is the future.”
Al Thani sees a bright future for
fashion design in Qatar.
“I’m the only menswear designer
in Qatar at the moment, as most of
the market is focused on women’s
fashion, but I see this changing soon.
We’re already branching out and
will be launching our first fragrance
this year. A new generation of
Qataris are developing smaller
brands, and using Instagram and
other social media to share them with
the world. I’m looking forward to
the competition!”