
Qatari women set to launch fashion magazine
IHSAN YOUSSEF DOHA MAKING a foray into the fashion and lifestyle world, three young Qatari women have joined hands to launch an English magazine from Doha.
Named HauteMuse, the magazine will be published quarterly.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, Fatma Hamad al Thani and Noor Rashid al Thani, both owners of the magazine, said that each issue would be theme-based with an innovative layout.
“We will ensure that the design is bold to attract our readers.
The content will be contemporary, exciting and trendy,” Noor added.
Both Fatma and Noor entered the fashion world about a year ago.
Featured by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, they are among the first few Qatari girls who started the blogging phenomenon in the Gulf country, especially related to beauty and fashion.
Muneera al Muasallam, is the third member of the team.
It was she who advised her colleagues to include a lifestyle section in the magazine to broaden the base among its readers.
Muneera, also in her twenties, will give a distinct flavour to the magazine by writing about the most luxurious places and the best restaurants in Qatar and around the world.
She will also take care of the business side of the venture.
Noor al Thani said that HauteMuse would focus more on fashion bloggers to provide an inside view of fashion on the streets, including styles popular among the common people.
“We are aiming to blend all young fashion writers, photographers and designers to bring out a unique perspective of the fashion world,” she added.
Talking about her blog, Noor said, “Eye of the Day – Street Style (noorziestyle.blogspost.com) came to my mind when I attended the Paris Couture Week in July 2010.
Through my blogs, I have come in contact with celebrities like Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.
I visited the set of Gossip Girl during its shooting in Paris and got an opportunity to photograph Leighton and Blake.
I have also clicked Taylor Ann in London.
In less than five months, my blog had over 60,000 visitors from all over the world.” Fatima al Thani said, “I have visited Milano showrooms of Chanel, Missoni, Valentino, Giuseppe Zanotti, Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi and Alberta Ferretti.
I was invited at the launch of Roberto Cavalli’s book in November 2010.
I have also met big names like Karl Lagerfeld, Rachel Zoe, Andre Leon Talley and Anna Dello Russo (both editors at Vogue).
My Haute Couturista’s blog (hautecouturista.com) is visited by 3,000 to 4,000 people daily from around the world.
The blog has got affiliation from net-aporter.
com, boutique1.com, brownsfashion.com and mytheresa.com and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the fashion world, including Anna Dello Russo, Rupert Sanderson (British shoe designer), Lauren Conrad (designer and TV personality) and Reem Acra (New York-based designer).” Fatima said that each issue of the magazine would have surprises in store for readers.
“We will cover lots of fashion events and beauty pageants.
All the editorial work will be done inhouse.
The articles will be written by noted fashion journalists.
The magazine will be produced with the help of famous fashion photographers, make-up artists and stylists.
We will have special focus on high-end luxury items and brands.
“HauteMuse will have a lifestyle section.
It will give information to women about the most luxurious destinations, restaurants, spas and the latest fashionrelated technologies in the world.
The first issue will feature a New York socialite Olivia Palermo on the cover.
It will have exclusive interviews of Anna Dello Russo, Rupert Sanderson and many international fashion bloggers,” she added.
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