Designs with Soul
On 20th May, Harrods and Fashion Trust Arabia hosted a refined breakfast at The Grill on the Fifth, Knightsbridge, to celebrate the renewal of their collaboration spotlighting emerging MENA designers.
The event introduced this year’s FTA Prize winners — four designers whose work embodies not only craftsmanship and creativity, but cultural depth and contemporary relevance. These collections, soon to be available at Harrods both in-store and online, reflect a new wave of fashion anchored in identity and purpose.
Yasmin Mansour, based in Qatar, redefines luxury with bold, avant-garde eveningwear. Her approach combines high-quality materials with conceptual layering, creating pieces that challenge convention while honouring ethical craftsmanship. Her work uplifts and provokes — merging the edge of fashion with responsibility, and setting a new pace for thoughtful luxury.
APOA (A Piece of Art), a Saudi accessories brand founded by Noura, Sara and Mashael, impressed with its sculptural jewellery, designed between Riyadh and Barcelona and handcrafted in Italy. Each piece is a wearable statement, merging architectural form with tactile beauty. Deeply rooted in Saudi heritage yet globally resonant, APOA is a name redefining the accessories space with sustainable elegance.
Nadine Mosallam, with her Cairo-to-London womenswear label Nadine Mos, delivers garments that honour the female form through subtle, architectural tailoring. Drawing inspiration from Egyptian tradition, she creates a modern visual language of home — playful, personal and precise. Her work feels both grounded and free, echoing heritage with grace.
RAMLA, a lifestyle brand from Egypt, brings sustainability to the centre of the conversation. Focusing on preserving traditional craftsmanship and empowering women artisans, the brand reinvents wardrobe essentials with care and authenticity. Their shoes, handcrafted with purpose, stand out not only for their beauty but for the social legacy embedded in every pair.
For Avesso Magazine UK, it was a privilege to witness this collective narrative of heritage, innovation and refined design. Being part of Harrods’ official press list is an honour — and sharing these stories is a reminder of what fashion can be when it’s rooted in culture and crafted with meaning.
