Three renowned names in Arab fashion share their experience on becoming designers, whether fashion school is a necessity and what they learnt on the job.
Sara Al-Saud (Death By Dolls)
Loved by celebrities from Jennifer Lopez to Kylie Jenner, Sara Al-Saud launched her label Death By Dolls in 2008 alongside her sister. Born in London to Saudi parents, her path to becoming a professional designer didn’t see her attend fashion school. Instead, she graduated from Pepperdine University as a clinical psychologist. Although you don’t need formal training to pursue a career in fashion design, Al-Saud believes it’s essential for the technical skills you might not learn otherwise.
What have you learned while exploring your career?
“I’ve learnt a tremendous amount over the past few years and continue to learn on a daily basis. As a fashion designer, you are constantly challenging yourself to think creatively and analyze the world around you, which always feels new and exciting,” she says.
What did you learn on the job?
“Being a fashion designer has become a multifaceted profession by today’s standards. It entails a lot more than just being able to design clothing, so it’s vital that all aspects of what goes into running a business are explored,” said Al-Saud.
Does one need to go to fashion school?
“Everyone’s experience will be unique. However, before embarking on the journey of fashion design, I would highly recommend doing your research on what skills you will need to create a business. I have learned a lot about the more technical side of fashion and what goes into making beautiful clothing. As well as developing a business sense, interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask,” she said.
Reema Al Banna (Reemami)
Founding her brand Reemami in 2010, Palestinian-born designer Reema Al Banna began her journey studying architecture. Moving to design management led to her becoming a graphic designer before she picked up a diploma in fashion design by attending night classes. Her contemporary label is elevated by her background, with pieces featuring innovative, unique prints and silhouettes.
What have you learned while exploring your career?
“There’s no mold for how a fashion designer should be. They should have a background in any form of design, be it architecture, fashion, or graphic design, but they have to know how the garments are constructed, if their designs are doable and who their customer is,” says Al Banna.
What did you learn on the job?
“I learnt so much on the job from budgeting to accounting and how to build a team. I learnt how to keep an income through releasing collections at certain times so we don’t run out of liquidity. There are so many ups and downs. I’m now learning a whole new side of fashion design that sees me producing in bulk quantities for uniforms, which is a whole new level and is so exciting,” she said.
Does one need to go to fashion school?
“You need to find your voice and find out what makes you unique. You need to experiment a lot in the beginning to find the direction you want to go to. Above all, be true to yourself. Be innovative and creative and think about being sustainable throughout the whole process,” she said.
Zineb Britel (Zyne)
The traditional Moroccan mule shoes called babouche inspired Zineb Britel to join forces with her best friend Laura Pujol to launch Zyne. Fueled by their Moroccan heritage, their mission was to create quality pieces working with local craftsmen to keep the traditional embroidery technique alive. Before launching Zyne, Britel attended courses at fashion schools in London, Paris and Milan. This helped her secure internships at both Sonia Rykiel and Christian Dior, where she was an assistant shoe designer.
What have you learned while exploring your career?
“I learnt a lot at fashion school, but I learnt so much more on my internships, having real tasks to do with real deadlines. At Christian Dior, I was drawing and cutting fabrics all the time. When you launch your own company, you spend most of your time solving problems rather than creating. The technical part can also be very different,” she says.
What did you learn on the job?
“Start to work super early and do as many internships as you can. When you are in fashion school, you dream a lot, and when you work for companies, you realize the reality,” said Britel.
Does one need to go to fashion school?
“If you didn’t go to fashion school, don’t let that stop you. I have many friends who graduated in the likes of architecture who have gone on to launch their own fashion brands. The values you have from persistence to determination, your eye for detail, your taste, and even how you manage a team can determine your success in having your own brand,” she said.
