Last chance to see Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture exhibitions at NMoQ

The collection is inspired by the landscapes and architectural wonders of Qatar and showcases a mix of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Moroccan-Dutch designer Mohamed Benchellal's first solo exhibition, “Benchellal: Monumental 'sculpting past Tomorrow',” offers one last chance to experience his unique blend of couture and sustainability before opening at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) on January 18. ends.
The exhibition, part of Qatar Museums (QM)'s Years of Culture initiative, features a new collection of couture dresses designed during Benchellal's artist residency at Liwan Design Studios and Labs.
The collection is inspired by the landscapes and architectural wonders of Qatar and showcases a mix of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Benchellal's garments are crafted with a focus on slow fashion, using sustainable materials to create a perfect balance between artistry and environmental responsibility.
The exhibition highlights the designer's meticulous techniques and innovative designs, elevating the couture gowns into monumental works of art that dialogue with Qatar's breathtaking architectural backdrop.
The QM noted that this exhibition offers a unique perspective on the intersection between traditional Arabic design and modern couture.
Blending futuristic Middle Eastern aesthetics with classic couture, his collection celebrates both the region's rich heritage and its forward-thinking vision – a sensibility that inspired the accompanying exhibition, “Years of Culture.”
In addition to the exhibition, Years of Culture is also hosting a presentation highlighting deep-rooted and evolving fashion trends in Qatar and Morocco, as well as the sustainability of many traditional practices.
It explores the historical and contemporary connections between Qatari and Moroccan cultures through fashion, with a focus on sustainable garment manufacturing practices.
Highlights include a traditional wool daffah (cape) from the NMoQ collection, embellished with intricate hand-stitched zari designs.
This piece demonstrates the transformation of the daffah from a practical garment into an object of cultural beauty and adornment.
As part of the collaboration with M7, Qatari designer and Mhefhef brand founder Mashael al-Naimi created a modern interpretation of the bisht.
Her creation – a hand-woven Tusar silk abaya inspired by the architectural elegance of the Moroccan Kasbah gate – reimagines the bisht with contemporary sophistication while paying homage to its heritage.