M7, Qatar’s creative startup hub, recently launched its inaugural Masterclass series led by The Design Studio by Azza Fahmy (DSAF). The series, held from November 10–13, aims to nurture Qatar’s creative talent through high-calibre educational programmes. The programme is delivered by the team behind DSAF, which offers programmes and courses in jewellery making, design, and conceptual thinking. Their mission of preserving traditional techniques through a contemporary lens aligns closely with M7’s goal to empower Qatar’s creative community with essential skills in design, craftmanship, and business.
Maha Al Sulaiti, Director of M7, expressed that the Masterclass series is part of M7’s commitment to support Qatar’s aspiring designers and entrepreneurs through partnerships with industry experts. The Masterclass, delivered by The Design Studio by Azza Fahmy, allows participants to explore their cultural heritage through jewellery design and learn from industry experts. This initiative is a significant step in M7’s long-term vision to cultivate a roster of emerging Qatari jewellery designers who honor and preserve their cultural heritage.
The Masterclass series consists of intensive workshops led by DSAF instructors held at M7’s Learning Space and Resident Partner’s Scale7’s jewellery studio. Participants engage in hands-on exercises, including designing jewellery sets inspired by architectural forms, converting creative inspiration into sketches, and developing skills for market-ready designs. DSAF, founded in 2013, is a design studio based in Cairo, Egypt, that fosters a new generation of contemporary jewellery designers through a curriculum rooted in traditional craftsmanship and contemporary thinking.
In addition to the Masterclass series, a panel discussion titled “Navigating the Jewellery Industry” took place on November 9. Panellists, including Azza Fahmy’s Education & Development Director Yasmine El Hamalawy and Nada Al Sulaiti, Founder and Creative Director of Hairaat, discussed the theme of preserving cultural heritage while achieving commercial success in the global jewellery market. The discussion provided participants with insights into balancing tradition and innovation, a crucial theme for emerging Qatari designers.
Overall, M7’s Masterclass series, led by The Design Studio by Azza Fahmy, is a significant initiative aimed at nurturing Qatar’s creative talent in the field of jewellery design. By providing participants with hands-on workshops and access to industry experts, the programme aims to empower emerging Qatari designers to honor and preserve their cultural heritage while also achieving success in the global jewellery market. This initiative is aligned with M7’s commitment to supporting aspiring designers and entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships with leading industry experts.
