Qatar has made fashion a key pillar of its modern identity. After years of strategic investments, Doha has become home to many of the world’s leading luxury labels, offers top-tier fashion education, and hosts the Arab world’s most anticipated fashion event: the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards. Through this initiative, numerous designers have elevated their brands and relocated to Qatar to establish a stronger presence. Non-Arab creatives have also recognized the city’s potential, flocking to the pearl of the Gulf and further solidifying the country’s global influence on the fashion industry.

After spending some time exploring Doha’s fashion scene, I have come to realise just how diverse it is. There is something for everyone, and I am excited to share a few must-visit places!

Place Vendôme is the quintessence of luxury shopping and should be your first stop. The 1.15 million square metre mall is the largest in the country, boasting more than 560 stores, including flagship boutiques for Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Dior, Loewe, and Prada, among others. Even if you don’t have Chanel money, admiring the window displays will quench your fashion thirst.

For those who have a more modest purse, you can visit “Luxury for Less” on the second floor. Search carefully and you may uncover a gem or two! Next on your list should be Galeries Lafayette. If you have visited the Parisian one, you might be disappointed. If not, you will enjoy it. The selection leans more toward evening wear.

There is also a Printemps for everyday pieces. Finally, end your shopping tour at The Gate Mall. It is the smallest of the lot, with limited options, but the M Design Gallery, house of luxury pop art, makes it worth the detour. Ever fancied a Hermès surfboard to hang in your living room? You will find it there.

On the other hand, if logos don’t mean much to you and you are more drawn to up-and-coming designers, I recommend keeping an eye on everything happening at M7 and Liwan. These are Doha’s leading creative design hubs and innovative fashion center, offering support for young and fresh talent. They regularly host exhibitions, talks, and pop-ups showcasing emerging designers’ latest. Most of them also have a presence on Pronto, Qatar’s leading high-end fashion marketplace. And if you are into sustainable fashion, Mhefhef and Zero Waste Design Qatar should be on your radar. The former is a “healthy dressing” brand with textile design at its core, while the latter is the Qatari leader in zero-waste patternmaking research.

If you fancy yourself as a creative or designer who doesn’t follow trends and has a unique take on style, then you are in for a treat. The city boasts plenty of textile shops and haberdashery stores, and here are two of my favorites: Bombay Silk and Today’s Fashion. You will be able to find a wide selection of Indian cotton and linen, specialty fabrics from the Far East, and high-quality Japanese cotton and denim, at very reasonable prices.

If you want to take it a step further and learn how to embroider or even weave your own textiles, Heenat Salma is your destination. Located about a 40-minute drive from the city center, the eco-farm sits on the edge of the desert. It offers lodging and a variety of activities, but you will be especially drawn to the arts and crafts section, where you can explore traditional textile design techniques such as Indian Aari embroidery and Bedouin Sadu weaving. I recommend making a full day of it. Therefore, book your workshops in advance through their website and take the time to enjoy the farm’s other offerings, from culinary sessions to guided discovery walks.

Last but not least, Doha’s museums are treasure chests brimming with exquisite capes, the finest embroideries, and some of the most dazzling jewelry and precious gemstones you will ever see. The Museum of Islamic Art showcases remarkably well-preserved fashion pieces dating from the 7th to the 19th century. The necklaces from the Mughal period will take your breath away, and you will spend a good 15 minutes admiring the pièce de résistance that is the deep blue Maharaja coat, IYKYK.

Meanwhile, the National Museum of Qatar houses some of the nation’s richest cultural and heritage garments, such as the Dara’ (traditional Qatari attire), along with headpieces, pendants, and rings. And if you are into pearls, the Bin Jelmood House, part of the Msheireb Museums, isn't to be skipped. It traces the nuanced history of the pearl, one of the country’s main exports until the 20th century, and explores the profound social and economic transformations it brought to Qatar.

Before I leave you, a quick heads-up: make sure you set aside at least two to three hours minimum for each visit. Nothing in Doha can be experienced quickly. It is a city that prides itself on slow living and for good reason. There is so much to see and discover, and more often than not, you will find yourself going back a second time to take it all in. So, what type of fashion lover are you? Embark on this journey to find out!