SARA ABDULGHANI
Qatari fashion designer Sara Abdulghani developed a practice shaped by Arabic history, wider cultural references, jewellery and garments. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar in 2007 and was named to the Dean’s List. In 2008, she acquired the Al Sadd workshop and later presented collections of ready to wear garments through Sara’s Secret. In 2010, she presented an abaya fashion show at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Qatar. This archive brings together surviving garments, jewellery and press from that practice.
Beyond her own design practice, Sara supported students at VCUarts Qatar through financial support. The workshop also offered VCUarts Qatar students internships and hands on experience at a time when dedicated local fashion infrastructure was limited.
FROM THE ARCHIVE · 22 MARCH 2009
Sara’s Style File
Published in Gulf Times Time Out on 22 March 2009, this profile introduces Sara Abdulghani as the Qatari fashion designer behind Sara’s Secret. She discusses graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar in 2007, drawing on Arabic culture and history, opening in Al Sadd, her first fashion show, and designing garments and jewellery.
The article also records Sara’s early call for local fashion manufacturing so Qatari designers could produce clothes under their own labels. The workshop continues this commitment through manufacturing in small quantities.
“I introduced Arabic culture and history into those modern designs.”
Interview: Noimot Olayiwola · Photographs: Shameer · Gulf Times Time Out
