Maha Al Sulaiti, Director of Qatar’s iconic M7, on culture, community and crafting with intention
In the heart of Msheireb lies M7 – an expansive, elemental building that functions as both a spatial and symbolic landmark. Echoing Qatari architecture through its form and configuration, with sculpted cubes united under a pale limestone façade, it is a monument to heritage and a space that encourages exploration. Consciously and sustainably constructed, it is at once historical and modern, rooted and dynamic; an ethos that reflects its purpose. Having opened its doors in 2021 as a hub for creative talent, M7 has evolved into Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and technology.
Part of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani’s extraordinary wider vision for the creative industries, M7 invites conversation, collaboration and cultural exchange. At the helm is Maha Al Sulaiti, who has served as the Director of M7 since its inauguration. She meets Harper’s Bazaar Qatar at the Boucheron Apartment at 26 Place Vendôme in Paris, a landmark of French jewellery and an address that, like M7’s home in Msheireb, masterfully blends heritage and modernity.
Looking back on the ambitious ethos that defined its inception, did she envisage that M7’s trajectory would see it become such an incredibly iconic cultural institution in such a short period of time? “The short answer is no,” she tells Bazaar Qatar. “We didn’t expect to grow so quickly and for so much to happen in five years. The fact that we have been able to is testament to Her Excellency’s vision and what she has spearheaded across the wider creative portfolio. That vision has supported the entire creative ecosystem in Qatar and we are very conscious and grateful for that. In February, for example, we hosted the first ever regional edition of Art Basel at M7 and Doha Design District. That was another milestone for us, for the creative industries, and for the country as a whole.”
Paris Rings in White Gold with Diamonds, POA, all Boucheron. Coat, POA, Balenciaga. Shayla, POA, Hamadis. Top, QR855, Wolford
That regional milestone, which drew international plaudits for its reimagining of what an art fair could look like and how it might function differently, is set to return in January with Iraqi curator Wassan Al-Khudhairi joining as Artistic Director for the 2027 edition. “We’re very mindful of the importance of Art Basel Qatar and what it represents,” continues Maha. “It showcases incredible regional artists. The whole approach has been very novel in terms of what has been done elsewhere. It’s very deliberate in terms of being more specific. It’s more curated. It has more of an exhibition feel. The Qatar edition has brought a new perspective, a different approach. It’s more of a partnership, I would say, which is why it is so powerful.”
Drawing over 17,000 visitors across its inaugural edition, alongside thousands more who visited the fair’s Special Projects, Art Basel Qatar also welcomed representatives from more than 85 museums and foundations worldwide, positioning it as a key destination for institutional discovery and engagement. Significantly, nearly half of the private collectors and patrons in attendance hailed from the MENASA region, alongside strong participation from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
That increasing regionalism is reflected in M7’s own approach. Its relationship with Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA), a non-profit organisation that provides financial support, guidance and mentorships to emerging designers from across the MENA region and offers them a truly international platform, has gone from strength to strength. The first of its kind initiative in the Arab world, the inaugural edition of FTA was launched in 2018, under the patronage and presence of FTA’s Honorary Chair Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Co-chairs Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani and Tania Fares at an annual awards ceremony held in Doha.
In more recent years, FTA has collaborated with M7 to showcase shortlisted designers and facilitate judging in Msheireb. Last year, M7 bolstered the relationship yet further by hosting the Threads of Impact exhibition curated by Omoyemi Akerele; a hugely impactful showcase celebrating seven years of FTA. Championing the unique perspective and creativity of fashion talent across the MENA region, Threads of Impact paid testament to the global influence of over 80 selected designers supported by Fashion Trust Arabia. Structured around mutual ideas, iconographies and ideals that inspire and shape imagination and framed by site-specific scenography and audio-visual storytelling, Threads of Impact presented a multifaceted vision of Arab fashion today.
“That exhibition was so significant,” recalls Maha. “With everything happening in the world today, I think many of us take a moment to ask ourselves if what we are doing is important. The answer is yes, because you realise that this is about preserving your heritage, your culture, and having your own voice. It’s about empowering designers to talk, through their pieces, about a whole society, nation, people. I really saw and felt that with Threads of Impact. This was a museum standard exhibition that we treated in the same way that we approached any of the major international exhibitions that we have hosted in previous years. These local and regional brands voice their own stories. In the future, we hope to travel exhibitions like this so that we can share those stories with the world.”
The relationship with FTA also sees M7 work with a selection of its designers in a mentorship capacity. Qatar-based designer Yasmin Mansour journeyed through M7 before winning the Eveningwear category at FTA in 2024 and Salim Azzam, the Lebanese designer awarded the Ready-to-Wear FTA Prize in 2019, has an ongoing relationship with the institution. “We work with designers both before and after FTA,” says Maha. “To win or to become a finalist marks a huge shift in their careers and they require ongoing incubation and support.”
Through its Global Edit initiative, M7 empowers local and regional fashion brands to scale beyond borders through a tailored programme that provides mentorship, strategic support, and access to global markets. “We adapt the programme to designers’ individual needs, from the initial to the final stages of their creative and business process,” explains Maha. “We facilitate opportunities in regional and international markets, whether during Fashion Weeks, as part of trade shows, within showrooms, or via events, that support the brands in a meaningful way.”
That conscious approach extends to M7’s grassroots initiatives and its championing of collaboration across the entire industry spectrum. “From the very beginning, we wanted to have a really strong base in terms of how we operate,” says Maha. “We have an iconic building in the centre of Doha and it’s important to be connected to the community, to
be aligned with different institutions, and to really grow organically so that it becomes more of a sustainable ecosystem. We act as a connector in the industry. We have resident partners with their own expertise and they run their own programmes, which we also support. We evolve our programmes over time. We see ourselves, in many ways, as an incubator. That sense of connection is really important because companies won’t grow if they operate in their own little bubble. Our programming is very intentional in terms of finding specific opportunities for growth for companies, brands, and individuals. We’re like parents, taking care of our children but wanting to see them fly on their own. That distinction is very important to us.”
Connection plays out in other ways, too. Later this year, M7 will host Erdem: About Time, About Her; a retrospective celebrating the 20th anniversary of Erdem Moralioglu’s eponymous brand. The highly anticipated exhibition, featuring iconic garments, sketches, and archival pieces, will celebrate the leading international designer’s poetic design lexicon in Doha. “It’s been such an interesting project to work on,” says Maha. “We have collaborated very closely with the Erdem team. Again, it’s about building long-term, reciprocal, meaningful partnerships and creating special moments.”
With such an engaging repertoire of past and future events, initiatives, and collaborations, what does her role at M7 mean to her on a personal level? “It’s very rewarding,” she tells Bazaar Qatar. “I always tell people that it doesn’t feel like work because being part of Her Excellency’s vision instils real meaning into what we do. We are a small piece of a much larger picture, and each piece contributes to a greater whole. It’s incredibly fulfilling and motivating to be part of that purpose-led journey.”
Photography By Vladimir Marti. Styling By Gabriela Cambero.
Model: Maha Al Sulaiti. Hair: Jean-Luc Amarin. Make-Up: Raffaele Romagnoli. Manicurist: Nafissa Djabi at B Agency. Executive Producer: Steff Hawker. On-Site Producer: Sofia Potapova. Lighting Assistant: Olivier Colairo. Styling Assistant: Kelvin Siso.
Lead Image Credits:
Lierre de Paris Necklace in White Gold with Diamonds; Rings from left: Lierre de Paris Rings in White Gold with Diamonds; Colonne d’Acanthe Ring in White Gold with Diamonds, POA, all Boucheron. Abaya, QR3,200; Shayla, POA, both Harlienz. Bodysuit, QR855, Wolford.
From Harper’s Bazaar Qatar Autumn 2026 issue