Interview with Dr Waseem Kotoub
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Country Director in Qatar British Council
The recent UK–Qatar Forum highlighted deepening cultural and creative collaboration. From your perspective, how does fashion act as a strategic cultural bridge between the UK and Qatar within this evolving partnership?
Fashion is one of the most expressive and powerful ways to connect cultures. It tells stories, preserves heritage, and inspires new ideas. Over the past ten years, the Qatar–UK Festival has shown how fashion can bridge creative communities between our two nations.
Through every edition of the Festival, we have seen how the UK’s strength in design innovation complements Qatar’s growing creative energy and ambition. Fashion allows both countries to collaborate on shared values such as sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural identity. It has become a form of dialogue that reflects who we are and what we aspire to become.
The British Council has been proud to support this exchange for a decade, creating opportunities for designers, educators, and institutions from both countries to engage, learn, and co-create. Fashion continues to stand as a symbol of that enduring partnership between Qatar and the UK.
The British Council has long supported creative economies. How are current UK–Qatar fashion initiatives contributing to leadership development, skills exchange, and sustainable growth within the creative industries in Qatar?
Just like in other areas of the creative economy, the fashion sector in Qatar holds enormous potential for innovation and growth. Through the Qatar–UK Festival, this year’s Fashion Show and VIP Reception showcased that potential beautifully.
It brought together emerging Qatari designers and UK industry experts to explore sustainable design, craftsmanship, and fashion entrepreneurship. The event created an environment where creative exchange was not just about showcasing talent but also about building capacity and inspiring young people to think of fashion as both an art form and an industry.
Across our broader creative economy programmes, we continue to focus on leadership development, mentoring, and skill-building. By connecting Qatar’s emerging designers with UK expertise in creative enterprise, sustainability, and digital innovation, we are helping shape a future where fashion drives both cultural impact and sustainable economic growth.
We are seeing increased visibility of UK designers and institutions engaging with the Qatari fashion ecosystem. What opportunities do you see for emerging Qatari designers to access UK platforms, education, and global networks?
There is a growing ecosystem of collaboration between Qatar and the UK’s fashion communities. For emerging Qatari designers, this means unprecedented access to UK-led training programmes, higher education institutions, and international design platforms.
Through our partnerships, we facilitate opportunities for young creatives to study, exchange ideas, and participate in global fashion conversations. The British Council’s network also helps connect Qatari designers with UK fashion schools, design councils, and mentorship opportunities that broaden their exposure and strengthen their professional growth.
These connections ensure that the collaboration flows both ways. UK designers are equally inspired by Qatar’s cultural narratives, traditional artistry, and creative ambition. This exchange is not just about visibility; it is about creating an ongoing dialogue that continues to strengthen the creative relationship between our two countries.
Cultural diplomacy is a key pillar of UK–Qatar relations. How do fashion and design collaborations reinforce mutual understanding and shared values between both countries beyond traditional cultural sectors?
Fashion and design have a unique ability to build understanding and trust beyond words. They are global languages that blend creativity with identity. When designers from Qatar and the UK come together, they exchange not only techniques and ideas but also perspectives on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
Through these collaborations, we see culture acting as a bridge for shared learning and mutual respect. Initiatives like the Qatar–UK Festival highlight that cultural diplomacy today is not limited to exhibitions or performances. It also exists in the spaces where creative industries, entrepreneurship, and education intersect.
Fashion reinforces shared values such as curiosity, craftsmanship, and creative freedom. It helps both nations reflect on their histories while shaping a forward-looking vision for collaboration and understanding.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of UK–Qatar fashion collaboration, and how can leadership from institutions like the British Council shape long-term impact across culture, education, and innovation?
The next chapter of UK–Qatar fashion collaboration is about building sustainable, connected, and future-ready creative industries. The British Council will continue to play a vital role in this journey by linking education, innovation, and cultural practice.
Our focus is on empowering the next generation of creative leaders through access, mentorship, and knowledge exchange. By connecting Qatar’s creative talent with UK institutions, we aim to build skills, confidence, and resilience in the sector.
In the long term, our goal is to strengthen the ecosystem that supports creativity in all its forms. Whether through fashion, design, digital innovation, or the arts, we see the partnership between Qatar and the UK as a foundation for inclusive growth — one that continues to evolve, inspire, and create opportunities for people to thrive.
