M7’s Zwara returns with focus on furniture design

Doha, Qatar: M7 Qatar s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in fashion, design and technology has announced that the fourth edition of its Z...

Doha, Qatar: M7–Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in fashion, design and technology–has announced that the fourth edition of its Zwara programme is underway, this time with a focus on furniture design.

The programme will culminate with an exhibition at M7 in September 2024 where the selected designers will present their finished objects.

 Developed by M7, Zwara is a fluid programme that seeks to spark creativity and collaboration against the backdrop of Qatar’s creative landscape, showcasing the importance of storytelling, and experimentation in design. The programme invites creatives to explore exhibitions, archives, and collections before responding to a design brief. M7 provides tailored support, mentorship, and development opportunities for the participating designers as part of Zwara.

 The current iteration of Zwara aligns with Masterpieces of Furniture Design, a recent exhibition showcased in M7 in partnership with Qatar Museums and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany exploring the evolution of more than 200 years of design through 52 iconic pieces of modern furniture from the museum’s renowned collection. Presenting a comprehensive selection of modern furniture, the exhibition included original works by prominent designers such as Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, Charles and Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand and Virgil Abloh. Using the exhibition as a stimulus, the programme looks at how iconic modern furniture influences the future of contemporary design.

 Maha Ghanim Al Sulaiti, Director of M7, said: “The large-scale international exhibitions are not only meant for everyone to enjoy and explore, but also serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring designers based in Qatar. Teaming up with cultural partners like the Vitra Design Museum is a great honour and underscores our commitment to passing on knowledge and preserving legacies for the upcoming generation of designers.”