When I was approached by the designers of Bahraini label Noon by Noor to be featured on my blog, I was a) well happy to be approached directly by them and b) intrigued to find out a little more about them.
I must say I've had a love affair with Bahrain since I was 3 and we went to visit my aunt and last year I fell in love with Bahrain's fashion boutiques and made my bank account cry. So I was pretty interested in speaking with Sheikha Noor and Sheikha Haya about their business in Bahrain. I threw all of the questions tingling my mind at them and this is what they had to say.
1.When did you realise you wanted to become fashion designers?
Noor: From the very first days of sneaking into my mother's closet to go through her collection of luxurious silks and colorful fabrics, to my obsession with altering dresses that were purchased for me during my teenage years, it seemed that all fingers pointed towards a career in the fashion industry. Whether it was an elaborate gown or just basic jeans, I always managed to transform my garments to reflect my vision of fashion.
Haya: I have always been an enthusiast of the arts, but my decision to pursue a career in fashion design came later in life as I traveled extensively through various cosmopolitan cities. The experiences I gained from these trips and from growing up in Bahrain have taught me to expand my horizons and always think outside the box.
2. What does fashion mean to both of you?
Noor & Haya: Fashion is a way of expressing our hopes, dreams, visions, and
ideas to the world. We love pushing boundaries, discovering new frontiers, and
making statements with our clothing.
3. How would you define Bahrain’s fashion scene?
Noor & Haya: Bahrain’s fashion scene is impressively cutting-edge. Women here are keen on following the latest trends, but always add their own unique touch to their clothing.
4.How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?
Noor & Haya: It really depends on the piece! Some garments can take a few hours, while other garments take up to a few days. Many of our pieces have special embellishments or intricate details which adds extra time to the production process.
5. What do you like most about designing?
Noor & Haya: We both very much enjoy seeing our ideas come to life. The process of having a garment that’s merely an idea in our head, then transferring it onto paper, then transforming it to an actual piece is still completely surreal to us.
6. What things inspire your designs?
Noon & Haya: Our inspiration comes from a mixture of everything--- our culture, our travels, our friends and family, our personal lives and current events. We always keep our eyes and ears open to everything that surrounds us.
7. What are some of your accomplishments as designers?
Noor & Haya: We just recently held a fashion show for our Fall/Winter 2011-12 collection, which showcased all thirty of our looks. International journalists, stylists, and buyers from different regions joined us for the exclusive event in our new showroom in the Seef District of Bahrain. It was an amazing experience that
left our guests eager for our next collection.
8. What do you believe makes a quality piece of clothing?
Noor & Haya: We consider all of our garments to be of the highest quality. We search all over the world for the most exceptional fabric. In our current collection, we used a variety of beautiful silks, satins, soft jerseys, and intricate beads from countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, and France.
9. What's your favorite part about conceptualising a design?
Noor & Haya: We would have to say: brainstorming with one another! Our process is quite unique because we try to combine both of our fashion styles, which happen to be the extreme opposites of one another, into each design concept. Our favorite part of this process is arriving at a unique interpretation that makes each one of our garments stand out as both sophisticatedly modern and playfully feminine.
10.What do you wish people would understand about working in the fashion industry?
Noor & Haya: The fashion industry is a great challenge because it’s fast-paced
and constantly changing. We can’t afford to have anything less than our “a-game” on, making sure that we are constantly alert.
11.What are some challenges you faced as an upcoming designer?
Noor & Haya: We always try to “out-do” ourselves and make sure that each piece we create is nothing less than perfect. Quality is extremely important to us and we are constantly checking to see that our work is executed perfectly. We want our clients to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each garment.
12. What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?
Noor: My best advice is to just practice. If sewing comes hard for you, take time
to make a few sample pieces. If you’re not the best artist, practice until you get
your forms right. Eventually, you will get the hang of it!
Haya: Always keep a positive attitude and remain calm. The fashion industry can be very intense, but as long as you remember to stop and take a deep breath, you’ll be able to focus!
13.Tell me a little about your F/W 2011-12 collection?
Noor & Haya: Our Fall/Winter 2011-12 collection was inspired by a journey of West meets East; modern ready to wear garments with Arabian influence. We chose soft jerseys, delicate silks, and rich satins to make the garments come to life and added dazzling embellishments for a touch of elegance. The harem pants are an absolute must have for the fall/winter, and we have a beautiful array to choose from. They are an easy way to achieve a sophisticated look during the day, but also look amazing during an evening outing, complimented with stilettos and a mystical Noon By Noor embellished top.
14. Finally, what can we expect in the near future from Noon by Noor?
Noor: We hope that Noon By Noor will transcend the Gulf region and leave its mark worldwide.
Haya: By June 2011, we hope to have our online boutique launched on our official website so that our international fans can order Noon By Noor from the comfort of their home.
The name for the line, Noon By Noor, comes from the Arabic letter ‘N’, pronounced as ‘noon’.
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