As his famous slogan T-shirts proved, artist-turned-philanthropist Mohammad Al Habtoor seems to have his finger firmly on the pulse of the nation. He provoked consumers everywhere with his thoughts on the recession (“No cash, no oil, who cares? Dubai Loves You!” ) and on controversial Emirati doctor Lamees Hamdan (“Leave Lamees Alone”), whom he came out in support of after she talked about customs and traditions in Dubai in The Oprah Winfrey Show. He has since lent his support to several other causes.
The eldest son of a prominent local family, this young Sandhurst alumnus and fashionista manages to combine his sharp military sensibilities with his intuitive sense of fashion, glamour and art. House of glaMO (from the word glamorous), the label he runs with partner Tamara Al Gabbani, offers sharp, witty clothes that make bold and persuasive statements, similar to those made by newspaper headlines.
Al Habtoor says he is influenced and inspired by everything from his surroundings, to feelings, family, friends and thoughts. But a particular favourite is the master of fashion Yves Saint Laurent.
Style, he says, isn’t following a trend but setting it. “Style is something that is in your DNA. Tastes vary from one person to the next, but style is the art of living and surrounding yourself with what would add value, be it what you eat, what you see, or what you hear — basically everything that you imbibe with all your five senses. That to me is style.” That’s a philosophy he looks like he lives.
Over the coming years, he says he would like to see the entire nation in his clothes. With his statement-provoking tees, that looks very likely. But whether or not he continues his fashion, he is certainly set to continue making a difference to the lives of the UAE’s residents.
