For the third episode of our takeovers series with the FTA 2022 Prize finalists, we’re focusing on a category that no woman (or man) can live without: Accessories.

So, we asked the Tunisian Duha Bukadi (Pupchen), the Sudanese Eilaf Osman (Eilaf), the Egyptian Karen Gaballa (BOADK) and the Moroccan Leila Roukni (Talel) to film themselves while they showed us their signature piece, told us about their favorite city in the MENA region and talked about the designers who inspire them and about their expectations when they travel to Qatar in October for the Prize event. We also asked them to tell us who they dream of dressing on the red carpet and how their relatives might describe them using three words.

Here are their answers…

THE SIGNATURE PIECE

Duha Bukadi says it loud and clear, “My shoes are all like my kids. But the first shoe that I designed is very close to my heart, we worked so much and so hard to do it, the heel was very complicated to fix, the ball kept on falling, but in the end we managed to finish it and it inspired our campaign,” she recalls with a big smile.

Eilaf Osman proudly shows her signature bag in front of the Pyramide du Louvre in Paris. “It’s the Medani bag, its different abstract images combining East African art with contemporary fashion, and I love how this bag is perfect, day to night,” she says.

If she has to choose one signature piece, Karen Gaballa would go for the Resin d’Olive bag, made of reclaimed olive wood enriched with resin, with a beech pine beaded handle and lined with leather.

Leila Roukni’s signature piece is her Triangle bag, “It’s the first bag I designed and my bestseller,” she says.

INSPIRATION

Duha Bukadi is fascinated by Azzedine Alaia, not only for his approach to design, but mainly the person behind the designer. “He was so generous, his house was open to everyone, there was food everywhere, and I remember him always listening to Um Kulthum,” she says.

Eilaf Osman names Elsa Schiaparelli as her source of inspiration, for her “amazing use of jewelry”, but also for who she was, “this fun-loving party girl in the hype of the fashion between 1930 and 1950. She did not care about what anyone thought of her, she was so unapologetic,” she says.

Karen Gaballa names Sabry Marouf as her source of inspiration. “The brand has a great balance between wearable and conceptual, every piece tells a story,” she says.

Finally, Leila Roukni says that if she had to choose one designer who inspires her, it would be Martin Margiela. “I love how he breaks the rules of fashion, I love his humility and his discretion,” she says.

WHEN IN QATAR

Duha Bukadi is looking forward to showing everyone who’s in Doha for the FTA Prize what she does. “I am eager to receive feedback and advice from the jury, and to learn… I am sure it will be a new start for the house of Pupchen,” she says.

Eilaf Osman is looking forward to meeting all her fellow finalists, and diving into this community of cultures and passions. “I hope I will make new friends among all the finalists,” she says.

Karen Gaballa is eager to live the “whole experience of an up and coming designer fully submerged in a fashion event. I want to talk to, and learn from, every judge and member of the advisory board, and I’m excited to meet all the designers,” she says.

“It’s a challenge! It’s the first time I apply to such a thing. I expect a human experience, to exchange with other designers and with people from the industry,” says Leila Roukni.

FAVORITE CITY

“Damascus is my favorite city in the MENA region, I only lived there one month, but I was amazed by the food, the atmosphere and the kindness of the people. I wish them peace,” says Duha Bukadi.

Eilaf Osman names Istanbul as her favorite MENA city. “I lived there for 4 months in my twenties, it was one of the most incredible moments of my life, it shaped who I am now,” she confesses.

Karen Gaballa says that Cairo is by far her favorite city in the MENA region, “the hustle and bustle is so inspiring, and we can showcase all the talents Egypt has,” she says.

For Leila Roukni, it’s Marrakech.  I’m very inspired by that city, it taught me a lot about colors. For example my 2022 electric blue and tangerine colors were inspired by my last trip to Morocco,” she says.

THE THREE WORDS

Duha Bukadi: “My team say that I’m a sweet girl, that I always manage to do what I decide to do, but that I want too many things, and a lot of colors.”

Eilaf Osman: “They say I’m driven, unpredictable and light-hearted.”

Karen Gaballa: “They say I’m resilient, persistent and brave.”

Leila Roukni: “They say I’m funny, creative and generous.”

ON THE RED CARPET

Duha Bukadi says that she wants to dress “any girl who is funky, crazy and confident enough” to wear a pair of Pupchen shoes.

Eilaf Osman wants to dress Amal Clooney, “the perfect modern woman, an intelligent, beautiful and on-the-go international lawyer”.

“If I allow my mind to run wild, I would love to dress Anne Hathaway and Oprah Winfrey,” says Karen Gaballa.

Finally, Yasmin Mansour would have loved to dress two icons, Audrey Hepburn and Dalida.