Today Hommous&HighHeels is very happy to present Afra Al Abdulla , a pioneering emirati woman in the field of fashion . Her haute couture line of high fashion gowns for pregnant women received rave reviews in the past fashion week . Currently busy preparing to launch a new men's wear line , Afra spared a little time to give Hommous & HighHeels an exclusive interview.
Afra Al Abdulla started her career at an early age . She believes design is in her blood and that have aunts that were in the same line and a family business in clothing , made it natural for her to follow the same line. After handling the family business for over six years , she decided to pursue her own career in fashion , the beginning of which was in Milan ,Italy , where she studied Fashion at the Instituto Di Moda Burgo .
Afra Al Abdulla is the first emirati woman to launch a fashion label with clothing for pregnant women and also a haute couture belt collection . Her collection showcases haute couture pieces for red carpet events, bridal gowns , maternity evening wear and abayas. Her brand AFRA AL ABDULLA is now synonymous with class and elegance in evening wear for many arab women .
When asked where she drew her inspiration from , she replied that any thing and everything can inspire her. “ Nature , colours , food , a particular smell , it could be anything” she says. “I am a very moody person, my designs reflect my mood.” Her trademark is creating clothing ensembles with movement , she loves to use different cuts , fabrics , and plays around with very western silhouettes , fusing them with Asian embroidery.
This is what she had to say , when asked the following questions
What advice would you give to other aspiring designers ?
Be Positive , especially while starting a business because in business you have to go through a lot of ups and downs. Hear what others have to say but always do what you believe is right in your heart . Stand by your designs and believe in yourself .
Who do you idolise or look up to ?
To be frank , I have never looked up to a celebrity or a famous person and said ; That’s what I want to do or that’s who I want to be like . I have been asked this question many times and I have never had an answer . Of course I admire and appreciate the work of designers like , Roberto Cavalli , John Paul Gaultier and Versace in its earlier years .
Fashion advice on Valentine’s Day ?
Well the colour for valentine’s day is obviously red , but I would tell women to wear whatever colour made them look the most flattering . Stand out in what you wear , and look beautiful.
What is a common mistake you find, women make ?
There are a lot of women who will see a sketch or a design on a mannequin and like it so much that they will forget to consider whether it will flatter them or not . Most designers are good at designing , but they are not image consultants . They often forget to keep in mind who their client is and what their preferences are . So my advice is , choose an ensemble only after determining whether it will look good on you . Don’t let the opinion of the designer or the sales representative cloud your own judgement .
To view the whole collection by Afra Al Abdulla go to www.afraalabdulla.com
To view the whole collection by Afra Al Abdulla go to www.afraalabdulla.com
