Faith Connexion and TheArsenale Ignite Doha with the Runway on the Rail at Doha’s Design District
Doha, Qatar – February 28, 2025 – In an impactful fusion of high fashion, motorsport, tradition and entertainment, Faith Connexion and TheArsenale unveiled the inaugural Faith Active Collaboration Collection at the “Runway on the Rail” fashion show in Doha’s Design District. This launch marked an important milestone: new standards in luxury streetwear and cross-cultural innovation. The evening was electrified by the presence of Westbrook Racing, the E1 World Championship team founded by Hollywood icon Will Smith. The event coincided with the exhilarating Westbrook E1 Racing Team, creating a powerful synergy between speed and style. Designed by Marcela Meignan in collaboration with Maria Buccellati, President of Faith Connexion, the Faith Active Collaboration Collection draws inspiration from the aesthetics and adrenaline of racing culture. The lineup features a dynamic mix of technical fabrics, aerodynamic silhouettes, and race-inspired details. Adding depth to this collaboration is a special capsule with Qatari brand TRZI, founded by designer Amna Ahmed Al-Misned. This partnership introduces pieces inspired by traditional Abayas, Sheilas, scarves, and ponchos, honoring Middle Eastern tradition while pushing fashion forward. Also joining this creative alliance is Sidi, the iconic Italian brand revered for its high-performance racing boots. Their presence further reinforces the collection’s DNA; where speed, craftsmanship, and innovation collide. “This event is more than a fashion show; it is a creative revolution,” stated Maria Buccellati. “By merging the thrill of motorsport with high fashion, we’re redefining the boundaries of luxury streetwear. The collaboration with TheArsenale and the support from Westbrook Racing and Will Smith have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.” “We wanted to create a collection that incorporates Middle Eastern culture by designing pieces that are bold and expressive while respecting cultural protocols,” added Marcela Meignan. The “Runway on the Rail” event attracted VIP guests, industry insiders, and motorsport enthusiasts, all eager to witness this showcase, committed to pushing the boundaries of fashion and further solidifying Doha’s position as a burgeoning hub for cultural and creative excellence. About Faith Connexion: Paris-based luxury fashion brand known for its avant-garde designs and collaborative approach. With a commitment to innovation and creativity, Faith Connexion continually redefines the landscape of contemporary fashion. About TheArsenale: Creative lab and marketplace dedicated to the future of mobility, uniting independent builders and designers. Founded by Patrice Meignan, TheArsenale explores the intersection of technology, fashion, and mobility, pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. About Westbrook Racing: Founded by Will Smith, competes in the UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series. The team is dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and bringing excitement to the world of electric motorsports. Social Media Handles: https://www.instagram.com/thearsenale/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/westbrookracinge1/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/mbuccellati_/?hl=en
Doha hosts the debut edition of the Visit Qatar E1 GP for electric powerboats
Doha is set to host the world’s first all-electric race boat series, the UIM E1 World Championship, taking place on February 21st and 22nd, 2025, at The Pearl Island. Titled the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP, it represents a significant highlight on the 2025 race calendar, establishing Qatar as a racing hub in the Middle East. As the Title Partner of the race, Visit Qatar continues to solidify the country’s position as a leading global sports tourism destination. From hosting major football tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup 2022™ and the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ to expanding its portfolio with cutting-edge sporting events such as E1, Qatar remains committed to fostering innovation and excellence in sports tourism. E1 serves as a pioneering platform for advancing sustainable marine mobility, with each race testing and showcasing innovative electric technology on water. Fans will witness high intensity racing while experiencing the future of eco-friendly marine innovation. The tournament will see eight races around the world, with Doha being one of the stops. Spectators can immerse themselves in the excitement at the Acceleration Festival fan zone, offering live DJ performances, children’s entertainment, exclusive E1 merchandise, and opportunities to win special prizes. Free tickets can be booked at https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/qa/sports/28851/visit-qatar-e1-doha-gp-2025 For those seeking a premium experience, MATCH Hospitality Asia is offering exclusive hospitality packages at the Racers’ Lounge, located at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Waterfront Hotel. Guests will enjoy unparalleled race views, gourmet dining, a meet-and-greet with team pilots, and access to an exclusive after-party with VIPs. More details can be found at https://e1.match-asia.com/en/racers-lounge/
IWC Schaffhausen launches limited-edition Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL dedicated to Toto Wolff
Schaffhausen, 17th February 2025: As the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team gears up for the new season, IWC Schaffhausen presents the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team. Limited to 100 pieces, it combines the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s Sprin-g Protect® shock absorber system with a technical design inspired by the team’s colours. The shock absorber spring is manufactured from a bulk metallic glass and coated with Petronas green Super-LumiNova®. Formula One™ is a sport that demands everything from the drivers and their teams. In their narrow cockpit, the drivers are constantly being thrown around and exposed to high centrifugal forces when braking or cornering. However, the emotions also run high off the racetrack, all the way up to Toto Wolff. When the racing action on the track sparked maximum levels of excitement, the CEO and principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1™ Team has been spotted wearing a prototype of the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL. These moments have inspired a watch that is engineered to withstand the enormous stresses of Formula One™, also on Toto Wolff’s wrist. As the team unveils its race car for the 2025 season and welcomes George Russell’s new teammate, driver Kimi Antonelli, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer launches the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW356201). Limited to 100 pieces, it combines IWC’s Sprin-g Protect® shock absorber system with a technical design inspired by the team’s black and Petronas green colour scheme. The spring that protects the movement against the extreme g-forces generated by impacts on the watch has been coated with Super-LumiNova® in the team’s signature green and glows in the dark. Protecting the Movement from High G-Forces The patented Sprin-g Protect® shock absorber system was developed by IWC’s engineering division XPL and first introduced with the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL (Ref. IW357201) in 2021. Taking movement shock protection to the next level, it is based on a cantilever spring that cushions the movement inside the case. If the watch suffers an impact on the case, the movement and the case typically are subjected to high g-forces. The spring absorbs a large portion of these forces before they can reach the movement. Designed with a special form allowing it to evenly spread the stress across its length and width, the spring is manufactured from a bulk metallic glass (BMG). Thanks to a complex manufacturing process, this advanced material is significantly more elastic than conventional crystalline metals. Ceratanium® Case and Blackened Movement The Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team features a case and crown made of Ceratanium®. Developed by IWC, this advanced material combines the lightness and robustness of titanium with a hardness similar to ceramic. The black dial features a grainy technical structure, which is stamped into the brass base with a special tool. The newly designed triangular black hands also feature Super-LumiNova® around their edges. The outer ring with the minute scale appears to be floating freely on lamellae attached around the dial. The watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32101 calibre with a double pawl automatic winding system and a power reserve of 120 hours. The plates, bridges, and oscillating mass are blackened to match the all-black design. The movement is visible through a tinted sapphire glass case back featuring a print with Toto’s signature. It is fitted with an integrated green rubber strap. An additional black rubber strap is included as an accessory.
