Al Mayyasa, a Dubai-based fashion label, has become one of the creative and prestigious names in the UAE fashion scene and beyond. Founded in 2005 by the creative designer Fatma bin Fahad, the label excels in the two fundamental aspects of fashion: creativity and uniqueness. Once worn, Al Mayyasa designs are elegant, practical and satisfy a fashionistas desire to shine.
A prolific and energetic fashion designer, Fatma bin Fahad of Al Mayyasa, graduated in Science of Interior design and fashion has always been her calling. Subjects like the history of Art, color analysis and the material mixing became her backbone when she started pursuing fashion as a full time career in 2005. Fatma launched the Al Mayyasa label in 2009 after graduating from Esmod University in Dubai.
Khaleejesque got together with Fatma bin Fahad to discuss her new summer collection Pearl Allure, which is a timeless and elegant collection inspired by the 50s fashion era; the combination of vibrant colours, textures, bold silhouettes with sheers and dramatic materials is impressive.
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
I am the eldest of five children. I studied interior design and I love to learn and share my knowledge. My favorite pets include a peacock and parrot, and I enjoy painting and photography.
How did you get into fashion?
I have been interested in fashion ever since I was a little child; my mother was my idol when it came to dressing up. At age 9, I started sewing my dolls' clothes. Since then I fell in love with fashion. In 2005, with the support of my family, husband and friends, I took my first step in fashion and officially took my designs to the market in 2009.
What inspires you?
Things that inspire me include the environment around me, spices, sand dunes, flowers, cars, stories, fashion icons; the list goes on… I then start to translate my inspiration into sketches, technical patterns for production and eventually clothes.
Who do you design for?
Al Mayyasa's collection is designed for strong and intelligent women; superb tailoring, and detailing define ideal silhouettes that enhance and flatter a women’s body.
Do you think fashion design is something that can be studied or attained through practice, or is it something that you are born with?
All women can choose their outfit, but not all women have the talent to design for others. Fashion and style designers need to be able to draw inspiration from past trends and see new possibilities for prospective future designs. They need to be able to innovate and put a fresh spin on things. From sketching to execution, fashion designers need artistic ability and originality to succeed in this industry; and have to stay a step ahead. They need to translate this into technical drawing and all of this can be obtained through study. But style is something you are born with.
Do you have any advice for other fashion designers wanting to break out into the business?
It might be an ideal way to turn a fashion hobby into an enjoyable career, but you must earn and obtain the skills with a great deal of practice, and the skills necessary for a career in the fashion industry can take a long time to acquire. You need to have the resources to jumpstart your new collection, skills and know-how in managing the production, then marketing savvy to promote the collection. Having gone through the process of thinking through the upcoming collection will enable you to always know what steps to take next. Design clothes for a specific niche market. In addition, the scope of your product line needs to be considered, and the type of distribution. The whole cycle is not easy and you will definitely face difficulties but you have to strive through.
Al Mayyasa's designs are exclusively available at Al Mayyasa boutique on Sheikh Zayed Road as well as at USH boutique and soon at O Concept Boutique. For more information please visit their website www.almayyasa.com
