The UAE’s now got an Afffair to remember. The Turkish menswear brand recently marked its entry into the UAE market with a fashion show. The Directory caught up with its creative director, Ali Behnam Bakhtiar, who, along with partner Rufat Ismayil, founded the label last year. Excerpts…
Welcome to Dubai. Tell me, what is it about Dubai that convinced you this was the right place to kick off Afffair?
Thank you, it’s a great pleasure to bring Afffair to Dubai. I am a UAE resident and I know the market very well. Good quality and unique design, especially in men’s collections, is in high demand, so we wanted to bring our line and showcase it here in the heart of UAE.
Take us back to the beginning of Afffair. How did it all start?
We started the business in response to the growing need for a brand that carries a diverse line of suits, sports, evening, and casual wear. In other words we wanted to create a label which would appeal to a diverse crowd. When we met, we both realised that we share the same vision which later turned into a great collaboration and we developed Afffair.
Why the name Afffair?
It comes from having an ongoing affair with clothing and being in love with our designs. This is how we feel about our collection.
Why menswear?
We wanted to start with something different, and men’s fashion is a niche area. Being a man, sometimes it’s hard for us to find the clothes that reflect who we are, how we think, and how we see ourselves. Having personal experience lead us to this path where we decided to start with a men’s collection.
What do you hope to bring to the menswear market?
A one-stop-shop where men can walk in and find diversity, something unique, something different, something you can play with.
You have sportswear, casualwear and formalwear. That’s a lot to put into one collection. Wasn’t it difficult?
No, it wasn’t difficult at all, it was actually fun. To be honest we had to stop ourselves; we could have kept on going and going.
Define the Afffair look for me. What would you consider your signature?
It is a combination of good style and excellent garments. This combination is what I call ‘signature’. The beauty of the end piece relies on working with various materials. It is challenging to put together these garments in one look, but it’s worth the effort, patience and time.
What’s your take on the menswear market as it stands today?
I believe there is a long way to go. The market is hungry for more diverse styles to be available for men. Clothes are a major indicator of one’s self and character and if you struggle in reflecting that it demotivates you in your daily life. Through our clothes we are aiming to make men happy and comfortable every day.
Where are all your clothes made?
All our clothes are made in Istanbul. We are a Turkish brand by origin and we are very proud of that. The hand crafted artisan element is very unique and it sets it apart from what is currently in the global market.
Now that you’ve got Afffair off the ground, where would you like to take it next?
We are currently working on our women’s collection, which will be followed by kids.
Go online
To find out more about the label, go to www.afffair.com
