To celebrate National Day we highlight three of the best Emirati designers. The UAE has plenty of diverse up-and-coming emerging talent. Here are the ones to watch out for:
[Spring/Summer 2016.]
Sheikha Madiyah Al Sharqi
Madiyah Al Sharqi is the daughter of the Ruler of Fujairah. Born into the royal family of Fujairah, Madiyah was exposed to fine tailoring and design from a young age. Upon graduating from the Ecole Superieure des arts et techniques de la mode (ESMOD), Madiyah launch her eponymous label in 2012.
The Madiyah Al Sharqi woman is classic, graceful and timeless, with a passion for contemporary design. She appreciates opulent, intricate embroideries and subtle colour palettes. The designer’s shapes and silhouettes are eye-catching, and her delicate fabrics accentuate femininity. Celebrity clients include Nicole Richie, Alessandra Ambrosio and Kris Jenner.
[Zelij Transitional Autumn/Winter 2016-17 collection.]
Maysson Al Otaiba
Maysson Al Otaiba is founder and creative director of her eponymous fashion label Maysson. She grew up between the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, which brings a rich, multicultural background to her London-based ready-to-wear brand. She graduated from London College of Fashion with a bachelors degree, but also with a postgraduate diploma in fashion management and a masters degree in strategic fashion marketing.
Al Otaiba launched her eponymous label for today’s independent, confident and well-travelled woman. Melding classic silhouettes with modern style, the designer channels contemporary trends as well as Mediterranean and Middle Eastern heritage reflected in her signature coin embellishments (inspired by traditional Emirati and Moroccan headpieces and necklaces). This year, in 2016, she’s designed her first children’s luxury line for Maysson and introduced Zelij – a travel capsule collection.
[Autumn/Winter 2016-17 collection.]
Huda Al Nuaimi
Emirati designer Huda Al Nuaimi has taken the fashion scene by storm. Established in 2016, Dubai based accessory label Huda Al Nuaimi celebrates a modern approach to a traditional craft by bringing the art of handcrafted luxury customisation to a global forefront. The label has received worldwide recognition, from London to New York.
As an emerging designer, she wants to push boundaries, explore different cuts, bring in shoulder pads and shortened hemlines. Al Nuaimi’s brand has an eclectic international feel with off-the-shoulder silhouettes, bell sleeves, sophisticated cuts, embroidery, tailoring and bohemian influences. Like many modern home-grown designers, Al Nuaimi’s brand has cross-cultural appeal. She said: “I cater to two markets now because many pieces look like modern, versatile overcoats, for example. Europeans love them.”
