DUBAI: Celebrities continued their stay in Qatar this week as international models and fashion industry leaders attended the Franca Fund Gala at the National Museum of Qatar.
Part-Arab model Shanina Shaik was on hand in Doha, alongside Gisele Bundchen, Tessa Thompson, Pier Paolo Piccioli, Regina King and Tyra Banks. Also in attendance were Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer.
The Middle East’s style set also made an appearance, including Lebanese influencers Karen Wazen and Nathalie Fanj walking the pink carpet.
The event was hosted by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, Italian director Francesco Carrozzini, and Anna Wintour in honor of the legacy of Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani, who died in 2016.
The Franca Sozzani Fund for Preventive Genomics was established in 2018 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
The aim is to “leverage evidence and advocacy around preventive genomics so that everyone, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic background, may discover personalized strategies to promote health,” the charity’s website states.
On Sunday night Christie’s hosted a live auction with proceeds going to the fund that invests in genomic medicine, “a field with the potential to revolutionize healthcare by predicting and preventing disease before it begins,” according to the auction house.
Stars who attended also spent time exploring the city, with Shaik taking to Instagram to share snapshots.
“A dreamy day in Doha,” the model captioned a carousel of images in which she poses at various locations in the capital.
Shaik and other famous faces have spent the past few days in the Gulf country for a series of events that kicked off with the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards on Saturday night.
The event included Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez, Hollywood star Emma Roberts and US actress Lindsay Lohan, who were spotted on the red carpet.
A jury comprising Christian Louboutin, Amina Muaddi, Giambattista Valli and Zuhair Murad, among others, chose the winners who were announced at the ceremony.
In the Ready-to-Wear category, Moroccan designer Youssef Drissi, creative head of Late For Work, came out on top.
Meanwhile, Saudi designer Ziyad Albuainain won the Evening Wear award; Moroccan Leila Roukni nabbed the Accessories award; Farah Radwan, and the Egyptian founder of FYR Jewelry, won the Jewelry award.
