The gala was co-hosted by the Chairperson of Qatar Museums and Co-Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Franca Fund founder and Sozzani’s son, Francesco Carrozzini, and global editorial director at Vogue and chief content officer for Condé Nast and longtime friend of Sozzani, Anna Wintour.
Honoring a Legacy
The Franca Fund Gala honors the life and work of Franca Sozzani, the influential editor of Italian Vogue. Her fight with a rare lung cancer deeply affected her son, filmmaker and photographer Francesco Carrozzini. He explored promising genetic research led by Harvard medical geneticist Dr. Robert C. Green.
Even though Sozzani’s illness was too advanced for new treatments to make a difference, her experience led to the creation of The Franca Fund for Preventive Genomics in 2018. The fund was founded by Carrozzini, Dr. Robert C. Green, and artist and investor D.A. Wallach.
The Fund focuses on identifying, treating, and preventing a wide range of diseases through transformative genomic science.
Growing the Franca Fund’s Work
Since its launch at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham, the Franca Fund has raised support through:
- Exhibitions and sales of pieces from Sozzani’s personal wardrobe
- A Zara capsule collection featuring Peter Lindbergh’s photography
- An annual awards dinner honoring Julianne Moore, Salma Hayek, and Iman
Yet Carrozzini has long envisioned a broader platform. That ambition gave rise to the Franca Fund Gala. It was conceived in collaboration with Sheikha Al Mayassa, who shared a personal bond with Sozzani, grounded in their mutual dedication to fashion and the arts.
A New Cultural Collaboration in Doha
M7 is Qatar’s leading center dedicated to innovation in fashion, design, and technology, created by Qatar Museums under the leadership of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Located in Msheireb Downtown Doha, M7 provides a comprehensive ecosystem for emerging and established creatives through:
- Exhibitions showcasing regional and international design excellence
- Mentorship programs that support creative and professional development
- Entrepreneurial training tailored to creative fields
- The Cutting Studio
- Studio 7
- Scale 7
- Fromm
- Workinton
As home to the Design Doha Biennale, the Tasweer Photography Festival, and Fashion Trust Arabia, which annually awards the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award. M7 has presented landmark exhibitions.
Some of them are:
- Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams (2021)
- Forever Valentino (2022)
- Masterpieces of Furniture Design (2023)
In 2025, M7 plays a central role in Evolution Nation, Qatar’s 18-month celebration of its 50-year cultural journey, and continues to connect the country’s creative talent with global audiences through initiatives such as FTA: Threads of Impact and its partnership on the inaugural Franca Fund Gala.
