Niche fashion labels, beauty demos and catwalk shows were the highlights of the Modern Woman Show held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai over the weekend. Three of the best exhibitors talk about their designs.
Best Emirati designer
Fatima Al Qassimi, founder and creative director of Distinctive
Jalabiyas and abayas
“My label was established in May. I was first inspired by fashion a long time ago. I used to design for myself and would receive compliments about the pieces I was wearing, which was encouraging, so I decided to develop a line. My first collection was calligraphy-themed [dresses and jalabiyas], and I then designed more abayas [in black with jewel embellishments].
“As an Emirati, I’m proud that Arabic is my first language – and since His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared 2016 as the year of Arabic language, I thought why not embrace it through my designs? And yes, inshallah, in the future I will continue to work more with calligraphy. It’s unique and it attracts so many people, especially westerners.”
Evening wear, wedding dresses, abayas reminiscent of Chanel’s quilted and pearl look
“Famed fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel changed the history of women’s clothing, from the jacket to the skirt. All of our cuts, like hers, are workable for everyday. I’m designing mostly for clients from the GCC – I have many Emirati clients.
“My collections are also season-less, meaning that every month I’ll bring out five to 10 new pieces. During Ramadan and Eid, I’ll produce up to 30 designs in a collection. And every month we have sales to make way for the new lines, so our ‘seasons’, if you like, are very fast.
“My basis was art, and it was my primary area of study in China. After a time, I had to select a major and I chose fashion design. As much as I love pure art, it’s hard to survive as an artist.
“So, I started designing party dresses and launched first in Ajman, then expanded to Sharjah and Dubai. You can see that our abaya cuts are haute couture, with that ‘party’ influence.
“I’ve been here 15 years. I converted to Islam and I married an Emirati, so there was also a personal need for me to design abayas, joining fashion, tradition and religion – all three elements together.”
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