Noor Al Bahrani’s fashion label launched just weeks before the World Health Organization announced that the coronavirus was a global pandemic. But the Oman-based designer didn’t let that stumbling block get in her way. “It was quite a shock to go into lockdown not long after the launch,” she says. “However, I perceived the lockdown as an opportunity to build a brand presence on social media and create a strong sense of brand identity.”
Her young label has a very definite signature look – a strong focus on soft colors gives the label an ethereal take on modest fashion. “For spring/summer 2021, I was inspired by the desert rose, for its beauty and resilience. I translate inspirations onto my collections through works of embroidery and embellishment, which I believe adds a touch of femininity to each design,” she says.
A kidswear line makes its debut as an accompaniment to her spring/summer collection. A mother herself, Noor believes in the “mommy and me” style of dressing. She hopes to experiment with new ideas all the time and says that the downtime of lockdown helped her reflect and evaluate her own weaknesses and strengths.
A trained electronic engineer, she plays with silhouettes in her collections. Using luxury silks and chiffons she is able to enhance the splendor of her fabrics by the careful pairing of lace, tulle and crepe accents.
The label is already stocking at concept stores such as Dubai’s Gigi Galleria and is available on the Ounass digital platform, and the designer hopes to see her label in London’s Harrods one day. Set small milestones to accomplish,” she says, “as establishing a brand and creating a brand identity is a step-by-step process that requires hard work and determination. A strong foundation will help in yielding great results, such as finding new retailers in the region and beyond.”
