M7 LAUNCHES A NEW SERIES OF ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Digital Initiative Inaugurated by Qatar Museums Supports Qatar’s Creative Industries
During the COVID-19 Pandemic

M7, a creative startups hub dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship established by Qatar Museums for the nation’s growing fashion and design industry, today 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-story, 29,000-square-meter 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 neighborhood. 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 program 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.

APRIL 9 and 11 AT 6PM, “INSPIRE”: Interior designer Chris Wolston and textile designer Karl-Artur Korsar 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.
APRIL 16 and 18 AT 6PM, “EQUIP”: 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.
APRIL 23 and 25 AT 6PM, “VALIDATE”: 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.
APRIL 30 and MAY 2 AT 6PM, “EMPOWER”: Nez Gebreel, global brand and talent developer and Fashion Trust Arabia board member, and creative director Mirna Naccache will discuss how designers can empower their creative voices.
MAY 7 and 9 AT 6PM, “ACCELERATE”: 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.
MAY 14 and 16 AT 6PM, “CONNECT”: Khalifa Al Haroon, Founder of ILoveQatar, and Harriet Gyamfuah, Founder of Creatives Amplified, will discuss ways for designers to stay connected with their customers using digital platforms.
MAY 21 and 23 AT 6PM, “PROMOTE”: Bianca Brigitte Bonomi, Editor in Chief of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, and Kai Margrander, Fashion Director of Harper’s Bazaar Germany, will speak about the impact of media placements and promotion of design.