Abu Dhabi // Even as a child, Fatema Al Redha’s attention to detail on the clothes she made for her dolls was an indication of her talent.
Encouraged by her family, the call of fashion design proved impossible to ignore despite her best intentions – she graduated from Zayed University in 2007 with a degree in accounting.
Now, at just 31, she is one of the few Emiratis to graduate from the prestigious School of Fashion Design in Boston, which has a long list of renowned alumni, many of whom enjoy key positions in the industry, such as Dawn Mello, Jo Somers and Daniel Faucher.
Ms Al Redha graduated from the certificate programme on May 10 after two years and showcased her designs at a show organised by the school to mark the event. Now she is continuing her education and hopes to get a diploma by 2014.
Ms Al Redha is looking forward to returning to the UAE at some point soon to start her own brand and contribute to the burgeoning fashion industry here after learning as much as she can in America.
“As the UAE is going through this breathtaking revolution in all fields, I wish to push its name as the next hub for the fashion industry in Middle East and the world.”
Ms Al Redha’s love for fashion goes all the way back to early childhood and her dolls. This was encouraged by her mother and grandmother, who taught her hand and machine sewing.
“For some reason, even early in life, I always tried to perfect my garments and finish them as much as a child could. Over time, I found myself in deep love with fashion.”
Despite this emerging talent, she had not considered fashion design as a serious career path.
After her accountancy degree, Ms Al Redha then tried out different jobs, but felt “some void” and longed to pursue a career in fashion. However, it was not until her family moved to the US in 2011 that she started to think seriously about this.
“I felt that pursuing a career in fashion was my dream and I am in the US where training is accessible.
“I think it is the best decision I have taken in my life and I couldn’t be any happier now I am working in the field I love most, the world of fashion design.”
So, where does she get her ideas?
Waiting for inspiration is something only amateurs do, she says.
“Creative ideas are hidden in every shape, form, line, space, texture and colour – all around us in this world. It is how we perceive things and reflect them back in our designs, which may turn a simple idea into a piece of art.
“I love feminine styles and lines, I love princess-line dresses with delicate details. I enjoy working for hours on trims, laces, embroidery, beading and anything sewn into a garment.”
The princess-line dress is a very classic silhouette. It is styled with a close-fitting bodice and skirt, cut in single pieces from shoulder to hem with a vertical seam. The vertical lines make any women look instantly thinner and taller; it has an exquisite style, she says.
“A true couturier is like an amazing plastic surgeon, nips and tucks in some areas, augmenting other areas, building a strong foundation to enrich everything, while considering the individual need of client. A well-fitted garment will magically turn a woman more self-confident and charming.
“I truly enjoy adding my hand stitches to finish the garment as a personal touch.”
Ms Al Redha is now seeking more training in the US, while she is setting up her brand between the UAE and US.
Of the fashion scene in the UAE, Ms Al Redha says while many Emirati talents are interested in pursuing a career in fashion design here, the UAE lacks training programmes.
Therefore, they find difficulties with the technical execution of their ideas, which might affect the aesthetics of the final product.
But despite this, she believes that the future is bright.
“I follow a lot of Arab and Emirati designers from all generations. Emiratis are very talented, gifted and hard-working designers. I truly love their innovative ideas and style in fashion. I see a lot of promising talent out there.
“I encourage all aspiring Emirati designers to follow their dreams.”
aalmazrouei@thenational.ae
RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Brief scores:
Manchester United 4
Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'
Fulham 1
Kamara 67' (pen),
Red card: Anguissa (68')
Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
Vikram%20Vedha
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Gayatri%2C%20Pushkar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hrithik%20Roshan%2C%20Saif%20Ali%20Khan%2C%20Radhika%20Apte%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
Racecard
%3Cp%3E5pm%3A%20Al%20Bateen%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Khaleej%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Al%20Nahyan%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Al%20Karamah%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Al%20Salam%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
