When I attended the inaugural Womens' Exhibition of the Dubai Ladies Club recently, I will admit my expectations weren't too high.
But I was soon inspired by all these passionate ladies dressed in abayas and shaylas — particularly by four individuals who, when I met them, felt like ecnountering a pleasant breeze on a hot summer day.
As I returned to my desk, I knew that the short report I was supposed to write would not do justice to their talent. So I returned to understand them and their creativity better.
Designs for life
Fathiya Al Khmeini is a board member at the Dubai Women's Council and the owner of the UAE boutique label Century 2000.
She used to be an art teacher at the Dubai Women's College but soon realised her passion lay in the fashion industry, so she launched her own store. Later on, she started nurturing her creative talent as a designer.
“I have always felt that women should be elegantly dressed and I put in a lot of effort myself,'' Fathiya says.
“When I left the Dubai Women's College, it was natural that I ventured into fashion for business. But that didn't feel like enough. I craved for something more.''
Her love for travelling coupled with her love of haute couture took her to Europe, the centre of fashion. “Italy was my first choice. I visited all the big names — Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani and Valentino — and loved their work.
"Inspired by them, the materials they used and the accessories they created, I thought I could do more than just sell these labels. I returned with a bunch of materials and a head full of ideas,'' she says.
“As I could sew, I started putting these ideas on cloth rather than canvas. I made abayas in different styles, unlike the traditional ones, and got a lot of positive feedback and encouragement from my family and friends. And I didn't look back.''
If at first you don't succeed…
Awatif Al Shuhail turned to jewellery designing after 24 years of teaching art. A mother of four, she is not just a painter but has also mastered sculpting and engraving, among other art forms.
Today, with her daughter Roza, who is also a jewellery designer, she runs her own label, Azor.
“My father always believed that his children, whether son or daughter, should become businesspeople like himself. Besides teaching art, I started a beauty salon. But I found no creativity there and my lack of interest caused it to shut down in a year.
"My father was disappointed. But now, with Azor, things are different — being in business for even that one year taught me a lot. My daughter works with me and that's a big support.''
Like Fathiya, Awatif says she built her business with encouragement from friends and family. “I got a lot of positive response from them and that's what pushed me to create this label and run the business.''
Sweet smell of success
Fahima Al Harmi and Jawaher Ahmad have been running Bint Baladi for the past 12 years.
Friends today, they met at an exhibition at the Shindagha Heritage Village and decided to combine their talents.
Fahima creates bukhoor and soaps using Arabian and European scents while Jawaher makes decorative boxes and pots. They have a boutique in Dubai.
“We make gift items for aroosa [trousseau], for childbirth and many more events,'' Fahima says.
“I make the bukhoor and saboon [soap] mainly from home and my friend, Jawaher, decorates the packaging.
"We can personalise the items, especially the soaps, by giving them names our clients ask for. I have created a bukhoor named Umm Al Emarat [Mother of the UAE] after the wife of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.''
Jawaher uses her outhouse as a workshop. On being asked where she gets her ideas, she says: “I study local and international trends, source the material, mostly locally, and decorate readymade wooden boxes, glass and ceramic ware or earthen pots.''
All of them attribute their success to family support and guidance.
“When we were young, the only avenue open for us was teaching. We could never have dreamt of running a real business and working in a multicultural, mixed-gender environment.
"We have been blessed with a ruler who not only encourages but also supports women to move ahead,'' Fathiya says.
“True,'' Awatif says. “We didn't have any career guidance or support to enhance our talents. Though I was working with something I loved, I wasn't really happy.''
“My success is due to the support from my husband and children,'' Fathiya says.
“My [late] father always encouraged me. That's what I want to tell all parents — do not ignore your child's talent. Don't wait for jobs but create one with your talent.''
Management skills key
“What I have learnt is that you need to be an excellent manager — not just at work but at home too. I couldn't have done it without the support from my family and friends,'' Awatif says.
“Moreover, I had no marketing skills when I started the salon and learnt my lessons the hard way. There are a lot of talented women in the UAE. All they need is a little room to enhance their art.
"Families should encourage girls to take classes in business management and accounting and push them to follow their talents.''
Fahima and Jawaher agree. “We had no problems when we started out only because our husbands helped us in this,'' Jawaher says.
“If we need to go out for work, my husband stays with the kids. We also have a strong support network in friends. They are always willing to have the children over.''
“Our husbands not only taught us the ins and outs of business management but they also help with the family,'' Fahima says.
“I mostly work after the children have gone to sleep as that's the time I can concentrate. It couldn't have been possible without my family's support.''
“Education is important but supporting one's talent is equally so. Having worked as a career counsellor, the only thing I've told my students is that no work is embarrassing.
"Don't fear and don't let anyone stop you from enhancing your talent. And Dubai is just the place to do it,'' Fathiya concludes.
