Growing up in a fashion forward family, Fatema Al Fardan was born in the UAE and educated in London at the American Intercontinental University, where she graduated with a first degree of honor in fashion design and marketing. She discovered her passion in fashion at the age of 9 and in 2011, she won the Most Outstanding Student Award and the Fashion Show Competition at the AIU in London for women’s wear design.
For Fall/Winter 2015-16, Fatema Al Fardan chose to showcase her collection in New York during NYFW. Azyaamode had the chance to sit down with the designer to learn more about her show, her plans for the future and Lebanon’s place in her life.
Tell us more about your New York fashion show.
I showcased my Fall/winter 2015-2016 collection at a new and upcoming art gallery in Soho with beautiful brick walls. We created two very humongous walls full of real flowers. Everyone loved the smell and the look. The flowers were in line with the aspect of the collection and created a very nice ambiance.
How did you get influential people to come to your fashion show?
Our PR company handled it and we had a lot of influential people in our fashion show. The likes of V magazine editor, Rachel Zoe, Lilla Crawford from ‘Into the Woods’ and Natalie Joos were in attendance, while Julia Roitfeld hosted our event. I think people were very curious because I was the first Emirati designer to showcase in New York. I was exotic and they wondered who I was. They said that they liked the collection and the ambiance. People enjoyed the experience and the attendance was very good, but I don’t know if I am going to do another show in New York.
As a new designer, it is really expensive for me. It was a great experience and I think it is something I would reconsider later on. Right now, I want to be stronger in my region.
Do you plan to conquer at home and then conquer the world?
Exactly, the reason why I went to New York is because I felt that when I started people were not taking me seriously. Therefore, I wanted to show them that I am very serious about what I am presenting and about the way I present it.
Regionally, I did not feel the strong support I was looking for. I did not regret this step.
What will your next collection be about?
My next collection is very personal. It is about the UAE, my heritage and my culture.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I am from the United Arab Emirates and my mother is Lebanese. I translate my multicultural background in my designs. When I create pieces, I pick more than one element. I could mix one culture with the other or I could mix two things that mesh together. I create my own prints and I like to mix them with an interestingly different kind of silhouette. I am also very detail oriented and like to create very elaborate over-the-top designs.
How old is your brand?
We launched our brand in November. It was something that I have been working on. Our second collection was unveiled in February. My experience at Louis Vuitton was amazing and taught me discipline. Now that I am a designer, design is not enough. You spend 90 percent of your time running your business and 10 percent for design. You also have to make sure to go to the right events and to let people see you, that you are being photographed and that people like you.
What place does Lebanon hold in your life?
I love Lebanon, too. I am very attached to it because of my mom.
Why do you consider yourself lucky?
I am actually lucky because everyone tells me God gave you the best two countries in the region, Lebanon from your mother and the UAE from your dad, so you won the lottery. There is a lot of Lebanese talent and so many interesting Lebanese art galleries.
How do you do you represent the Emirati woman?
As a regular woman, I want to reflect the image of a regular Emirati woman.
Scroll through the Photo Gallery to take a closer look at Fatema Al Fardan’s Fall/Winter 2015-16 collection.
