A culture that’s often relegated to the back of most conversations about our region is now taking centre stage in Doha. For the first time ever at M7 — the self-proclaimed epicenter for all things fashion, design and entrepreneurship in the tiny Gulf state — the people indigenous to North Africa are being given a platform that treats their heritage, for once, with all the seriousness and attention it deserves.
Having launched on Oct. 27 and expected to run until Jan. 26, 2026, the exhibition delves into the hair rituals and aesthetics of the Amazigh people, particularly those from Morocco. Split into four different sections— Roots and Rituals, Body and Soul, Reframing the Gaze, and Crafting Continuity— the tribute aims at reframing hair as a vessel of memory that carries stories that colonial narratives often either ignored or never addressed.
Spearheaded by Ilham Mestour, a renowned Moroccan hairstylist who now serves as the installation’s creative director, along with curator Rajae El Mouhandiz, the temporary showcase pulls together archival material, from sketches all the way up to contemporary reconstructions, to piece together a bit of history too little seem to be aware of.
“My work continues to pay homage to the women who came before me. Hair is not only beauty; it is lineage, it is strength, it is memory. Through this exhibition, I honor my Amazigh ancestry by transforming inherited rituals into my work globally, carrying forward the voices of the past,” creative director Ilham Mestour said. “My collaboration with M7, from teaching in the Mastering Hair masterclass to presenting my work in this exhibition, enables me to continue to share these traditions and ensure they remain alive for future generations of creatives,” she added.
“Amazigh Hair Couture Exhibition is a powerful celebration of identity and artistic expression, reflecting M7’s mission to elevate diverse voices and connect regional talents with global audiences. We are proud to continue our partnership with Ilham Mestour and provide a platform for Arab and North African designers and artists such as Lalla Essaydi and Amina Agueznay to continue to champion and reclaim authorship over their narratives, sharing traditions in ways that are both contemporary and rooted in culture. This exhibition offers a compelling journey through time, inviting viewers to explore how traditional practices remain relevant in today’s world,” Director of M7, Maha Ghanim Al Sulaiti also commented.
Free for all, the exhibition is open to anyone willing to spend a moment reflecting on a history that predates borders, outlived empires, and that is still being written today, even if it is only through braids and knots.