|
KUWAIT TIMES The first daily in the Arabian Gulf |
 Spectrum NewsKuwaiti designer follows her passion and 'nightmares'Published Date: March 11, 2007 |
| Kuwaiti
fashion designer, Haya Al-Houti, is a living proof that many Arab women are
talented, creative and can hold prominent positions in many fields. It's not
hard any more for Arab women, especially in the Gulf, to be internationally
famous. Al-Houti was able to change the old concept that fashion shows are just
for worldwide fashion designers and famous brands, with her first debut at the
Couture Fashion Week, in New York City on Feb 11th, 2007. A young ambitious woman in her late 20's, Al-Houti was always fond of fashion since she was 14 years old. "I remember my aunties and sisters asking me about their night gowns. Being a kid didn't make them doubt my opinion. On the contrary they kept asking me to draw rough sketches of different evening gown designs," she said. "I loved it when they came asking me about simple details in their dresses," she added. Although her parents supported her to continue in the career she adores, she chose to study something totally different. She graduated from the Faculty of Education and was going to be a teacher. However, her deep passion for designing and her big dreams never left her. "My dreams of becoming a fashion designer was following me like a nice nightmare, which I can't forget or quit," she said. Al-Houti continued: "One day I decided to be myself and follow my obsession of art and fashion designing. I openned this shop four years ago and since this that time I have been working very hard to satisfy all my customers and to build a good name and reputation." But why did she go all the way to New York for her fashion show? "I chose to present (my designs) at New York Couture Fashion Week rather than going anywhere else, because my colleagues went to Paris, Rome and even UK," said Al-Houti. "New York was a new destination for people from the Middle East, especially the Gulf region. I wanted to be different and it was a new and different experience that I will never forget," she added. Being the only woman from the Gulf in New York City is something that made Al-Houti feel proud of being a Kuwaiti. She also felt responsible to present a positive image of her country. On her emotions after the show, Al-Houti said: "The moment I was on the stage and saw people clapping hard I knew that I am on the right path and that they all enjoyed my show. I had mixed feelings of both fear and happiness; fear of failure and happiness that I've reached this position." Working on fashion shows is a unique and special experience for Al-Houti. "When thinking about a fashion show I don't just present a group of nice dresses. I am always keen on presenting something new, different and outstanding," she pointed out. "I love presenting dresses with strange but simple ideas, that represent my identity and personality, so people would know that these are my designs," she added. Fashion can also send a specific meaning. "I must have a theme or a message in my designs, because having a theme or an aim is like having a target. My first show in New York City was inspired by the ocean," she said. "I am looking beyond the surface of the sea, I am digging deep inside the ocean. The ocean is endless, full of secrets. It is a mix of strange and complicated issues. I am exactly like the ocean with endless ideas and thoughts, I love being simple and unique at the same time and I adore presenting this uniqueness in my exclusive dresses," she pointed out. Al-Houti used various vibrant colours in her latest fashion show where she was inspired by the colours found in the ocean. Her materials are rich in terms of colours and fabric where she mixed between the silk, taffeta, chiffon, organza, tulle, and satins. Some of the dresses had different shades of blue while others looked like fish scales, while other dresses had short tails depicting the seahorse's tail. She presented 18 of her most beautiful evening gowns and five wedding dresses. "It took me a long time, about seven months to prepare for this fashion show," she said. Al-Houti sees that fashion designing is much more than simply making and selling dresses, it is about her relationship with her customers. "I love all my customers and I want to make them the centre of attraction in my evening gowns and wedding dresses, so this is why I never design something that won't suit my customer," she said. "I have to have faith that the design will be a wonderful one, because at the end it's me who designed the dress which represents my personality. Plus I can't make my customer look ugly by making them wear designs that doesn't suit them," she concluded. |