British Council, Liberty, and Doha Design District launch “Living in Pattern” Design Exchange

A three-stage residency connecting Qatar-based creatives with Liberty London to transform local heritage elements into contemporary fabricsA pioneering Qatar-UK design residency has officially launched in Doha, aiming to support emerging creatives in transforming Qatar’s rich cultural and natural heritage into contemporary textile designs.The initiative, titled Living in Pattern: Fabrics Inspired by Qatari Heritage, is a collaboration between the British Council, Liberty London, Liberty Home Msheireb, and the Doha Design District, powered by Msheireb Properties. The launch was marked by the signing of a strategic partnership agreement at Liberty Home Msheireb on 22 September, kicking off an international exchange that connects local talent with one of the UK’s most celebrated design institutions.Delivered across three stages—Discover, Develop, and Advance—the residency brings together up to 10 Qatar-based artists and designers. Participants will embark on an immersive research journey exploring the country’s architecture, native flora, marine environments, museums, and living cultural traditions.Following a rigorous assessment process, five participants will progress to an intensive development phase before undertaking a mentorship residency in London alongside Liberty’s acclaimed design team.In a major highlight of the initiative, up to two original artworks created during the residency could be selected for inclusion in Liberty London’s 2028 Interior Fabric Collection, offering a rare global platform for Qatar-inspired design.The residency began with a three-day induction program that introduced participants to Qatar’s natural history and architectural traditions. Through guided visits to leading cultural and educational institutions across the country, designers explored how local landscapes and visual culture can directly inform modern textiles.Hassan Al Emadi, Chief Commercial Officer of Msheireb Properties, highlighted the importance of drawing on local history for modern innovation.“At Msheireb, we believe that heritage remains one of our greatest sources of inspiration for the future,” Al Emadi said. “Through this partnership, we are creating opportunities for emerging creatives to engage deeply with Qatar’s cultural and natural landscapes while connecting them to world-class expertise and international platforms. Living in Pattern reflects Doha Design District’s commitment to supporting talent development, celebrating Qatari identity, and positioning creative industries as an important contributor to a vibrant and knowledge-based economy.”The collaboration also aims to foster long-term sector growth in Qatar.Dr. Waseem Kotoub, Country Director for the British Council Qatar, noted that the program provides designers with crucial access to international networks and hands-on learning.“As we prepare for this year’s Qatar-UK Creative Industries Skills Forum, the residency demonstrates how international partnerships can create meaningful pathways for talent development, creative exchange, and long-term, life-changing sector growth,” Dr. Kotoub said.The launch of the residency coincides with the first anniversary of Liberty Home Msheireb, marking exactly one year since the historic British design house established its first physical presence in the Middle East.Genevieve Bennett, Head of Design for Home & Interiors at Liberty, described the Doha location as a “meeting point” between British creative heritage and contemporary Qatari culture.“Doha represents an exciting new chapter in Liberty’s story. For over 150 years, we’ve been drawn to the meeting of different cultures and ideas,” Bennett said. “Living in Pattern feels like a natural expression of that connection—bringing together the imagination of emerging designers with the wealth of Liberty’s archive, while drawing on Qatar’s culture and visual language, taking something with such a deep history and allowing it to evolve into part of a new creative conversation.”The launch coincides with the first anniversary of Liberty Home Msheireb, marking oneyear since the iconic British design house established its first presence in the MiddleEast in Doha. Beyond its retail footprint, the space has established itself as a vibrantplatform for cross-cultural collaboration.By combining research, mentorship, and cross-cultural dialogue, Living in Patterndemonstrates how heritage can inspire contemporary design while building long-termcreative capacity across both Qatar and the UK.