My UAE: Noura Al Mazroui's future in fashion

Self-taught clothes designer Noura Al Mazroui now owns a dress and abaya shop.

Noura Al Mazroui and her colourful creations at her shop, Noona Style Fashion. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National.

Before leaving her home, Noura Al Mazroui makes sure she is dressed to kill so that wherever she goes, she leaves an impression.

"I always like to add my own special touches to my abaya and clothes," says the Emirati, in her 30s.

Al Mazroui had been quietly designing clothes in the comfort of her home for decades, before finally taking the plunge this year and starting up her own dress and abaya shop.

Self taught, she has worked in administration for most of her life. She has spent more than 14 years as an assistant to the editor-in-chief at Al Ittihad newspaper, The National's Arabic sister publication, and has recently moved to Abu Dhabi Media's radio department as a programme coordinator.

"I learn something from every experience in my life. Life has been my teacher," she says.

Divorced with four children, it hasn't always been easy for Al Mazroui to pursue her dreams.

"It is all about attitude and how you view life. I believe that if your intentions are pure and good, then things will always work out in the end."

With great perseverance and planning, Al Mazroui was finally able to hire tailors and open a shop in Mussafah, calling it Noona Style Fashion. With customers already coming in from across the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, Al Mazroui is working overtime to make sure her business succeeds.

"After my daily work finishes at 5pm, I head to my store and stay there until 10pm or 11pm. I sit with the customers when they bring in a sketch or photo of a design they like and we work together on finding the style that would look the best on them."

Also a poet and an animal lover, she hopes to include a beauty saloon next to her shop, so that women can get ready for the evening in one spot.

"I have big dreams and I will make them happen, with Allah's help."

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