Fashion designer Maysson Al Otaiba spends her time between the UAE and London, where she is attaining a PhD in social media and entrepreneurship.
While most brands – clothing or otherwise – use social media for marketing and brand awareness, Al Otaiba is delving further into the ways in which social media correlates to business management. “I’m looking at how entrepreneurs discover opportunities through using social media to create value. It’s proven very useful for my own fashion business, and other businesses in the creative sector,” says the designer.
Al Otaiba explains that social media helps her own fashion brand, Maysson, tap into new markets across the globe. She also highlights the benefits of recruiting fashion personalities to wear her pieces. “We can showcase the Maysson product in more detail and offer new ways to style our product, through the talented bloggers and influencers who support the brand,” she says.
Al Otaiba cites her heritage – Emirati-Moroccan – as inspiration for many of her pieces. “I’ve always been inspired by the rich and vibrant colours of the Mediterranean and the old jewellery from Abu Dhabi’s Bedouin tribes. I like to share the Arab heritage throughout my collections.”
She is thrilled that one particular Middle East-inspired accessory has become a major autumn/winter style trend globally.
“I love that mainstream fashion has brought back the turban. It’s cool, it’s cosmopolitan and gives a nice exotic touch to an outfit,” she says.
When asked who her style icons are, the designer names a woman who is internationally known for her elegant turbans, Qatar’s Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al Missned. “She’s bold and unique in her sartorial choices, and she devotes her time to great causes with children’s education and female empowerment,” says Al Otaiba.
Before launching Maysson in 2014, Al Otaiba interned with Diane von Furstenberg and Buccellati while studying at the London College of Fashion. Although most designers trained in fashion follow a rigid production schedule dictated by international norms that divide the seasons between spring/summer and autmn/winter, Al Otaiba chooses to follow a different agenda.
“Our current capsule collection is trans-seasonal, so it can be worn between seasons, in terms of colours and silhouettes,” she explains. “This is ideal for the Maysson customer who is travelling between two different countries and climates.”
The brand’s Zelij collection is a 13-piece range featuring a black, white and blue mosaic tile-pattern printed across floaty kaftans, shirt-dresses and blouses. Staple silhouettes are mixed with more contemporary pieces, such as a bomber jacket and distressed denim jacket with cut-out shoulders. The designs clearly reflect Al Otaiba’s description of her target client: “A well-travelled city-girl, who’s also a bohemian at heart.”
It’s refreshing to hear that Al Otaiba’s list of style icons and dream clients isn’t cluttered with teen models or sensationalised singers – in addition to Sheikha Moza, Al Otaiba names Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan as a style icon, along with international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. If she could pick any celebrity to dress, the designer would love to have her clothes worn by Clooney. “She is a role model: bold, sophisticated and elegant. I can envision her in a long Zelij print shirtdress for both work and leisure,” says Al Otaiba.
In Dubai, Al Otaiba’s designs are available at The Fashion Vault, a home-grown retail space at Sunset Mall on Jumeirah Beach Road. “The Fashion Vault has its finger on the pulse of what is now,” says Al Otaiba. “It carries edgy clothing along with some elegant pieces, which reflects the style of the Maysson brand.”
What is your favourite book?
The Alchemist is a great book to keep you on the path. A long journey can reap great rewards.
What is your favourite perfume or scent?
Laya By Ne’Emah is my favourite perfume. The scent is a light vanilla, cedarwood blend that can take you from day to night.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
London is a great place for holiday, museums, people watching and scouting the latest fashions. You can see the blending of East and West fashion on the city streets.
What is your favourite coffee spot in the UAE?
I enjoy a coffee at Café 302 [in Hamdan bin Mohammed St, Abu Dhabi]. The atmosphere is great with lovely food.
What is your favourite way to relax or unwind?
I always enjoy a trip to the spa. It’s one of the few places you can leave your phone behind.
What is your favourite shoe brand?
A pair of Gianvitto Rossi heels is always a real treat. A bright-coloured pair is just the item to team with denim or a little black dress.
What is your fashion pet peeve?
I don’t subscribe to the clashing prints look.
What is your comfort food?
Fresh, homemade pasta has always been my favourite.
What is your favourite movie?
I adore the movie Casablanca. It's like a walk back in time and the fashion is just as stunning today.
What is the beauty brand you can’t live without?
Laura Mercier has always been my go-to make-up brand. The tinted moisturiser stays on all day.
hlodi@thenational.ae
