Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – The excitement counting down to Eid is phenomenal but that just means more work for the young generation of artists and designers who are ready to put out their new festive collection.



Saudi Gazette introduces you to a few inspiring stories. But first, Tamara Al Gabbani. Based in UAE, Tamara comes from a conservative background that is rich in culture and deep rooted in tradition. She started out with a finance degree, ended up auditioning by chance and bagging a show which she hosted on TV and gained her fair share of fame. Now she’s Sunsilk’s and Pepsi’s ambassador (Yallah now) and the proud owner of her fashion label.



Tamara told Saudi Gazette the journey has not been easy with the restrictions that comes with being an Arab woman, but she is happy to have made it beyond the criticism and mainstream taboos.



“I was told no man would marry me if I was too successful. This is something I really took to heart. I thought I couldn’t do better. But then it hit me, I don’t need all the men in the world, I just need one. And he will love everything about me and encourage me.”



Now she has found success, her own place in UAE, and rightfully so. She reminds you: “I am the first Arab girl to be named best dressed at Cannes.”



As a designer she is ideally young at heart (hear her talk about judging the Disney contest) and a sophisticated entrepreneur. “I wear my Jalabiyas with pride. Even to Zuma. People turn around and always ask. It is important for people to know it is not a Ramadan or Eid thing and so I have called it my summer collection.”



Going back to how it all began, post TV, she said: “I did personal shopping for a year for VIP clients across the region and then with my best friend Mohammad Sultan Al Habtoor in Dubai. We partnered and started doing these edgy t-shirts which helped raise awareness and charity.”



This helped boost her confidence, which led her to showcasing the first Tamara Al Gabbani collection at Burj Khalifa to a sold out affair. Tamara designs and prints her collection mostly in India and UAE.



“My biggest clients are Saudis but I also get a lot of orders from Australia, Sweden, Czech Republic and all across the world.”



Other than party dresses, she also designs Jalabbiyas with prints using Islamic art and arabesque motifs to give a historic Arabic background with a contemporary angle. Recently, she helped Disney pick a young winner who had the opportunity to design their ideal Princess gown. She giggles with the excitement of a six year old and confesses it was a Disney moment she has wished upon many years ago as a young girl. A daughter to be proud of and prominent fashion designer, Tamara is ready to accomplish all that she was meant for.



You can find her latest collection online on http://www.tamaraalgabbani.com