WINGPLACE. BIRD? BLACK SILK. DANCE OF AIR LAYERS. BUTTERFLY? WONDERFUL BLACK DRESSES, SIMILAR TO ANYTHING. RED FLOWER. BRANCH OF FLOWERING SAKURA. EASY, PERFECTLY PRECISED SHADOW OF BORDEAUX. WHAT IS IT? IS IT A MODERN WOMAN OF ARABIA? YES, THIS IS IT. Rafia Helal Ben DRY, founder, owner and artistic director of the fashion house MAUSAN, specializes in sewing LUXURIOUS ABAY (LOCAL TOP CLOTHING UAE), not only a talented designer, that this year, it was noted the award "ARAB WOMAN OF THE YEAR", established by the magazine L'OFFICIEL MIDDLE EAST, BUT AND A CHARMING AND PLEASANT NEIGHBOR. ABOUT THAT BEAUTIFUL AND FASHIONABLE CLOTHES MEAN IN THE LIFE OF A MODERN ARABIC WOMAN WE talked with Raffia on the eve of the holy for all Muslim Muslim Ramadan.
Rafia, tell me, please, for whom did you first start sewing your unusual outfits?
For all women in the world. When I first came to a fashion show in Europe, all the designers paid attention to what I was wearing. Many really liked it. And then women of different nationalities began to buy my clothes. If you look at my collections, you will understand that they are not only for local women. Are you embarrassed to go outside in abaya? Not scary. This clothing is so comfortable that you can safely wear it at home, like an attractive peignoir, for example. As a designer, it impresses me.
Your skill was appreciated by the "gurus" of international fashion from L'Officiel magazine ...
This is a great honor for me. I am very proud of this award.
Please tell me how often shoppers from Europe or, for example, Russia look into your boutique?
I have many customers from Malaysia, Iran, countries of Western Europe, there are Russian women. Many of them ask me to expand the boutique network because they like Mausan clothes. It seems to me that the abayas that I make are a great alternative to an office suit for any woman living in such a hot country like the United Arab Emirates. Who in the heat wants to be constrained by strict jackets or tight skirts. Abaya is the best you can think of. These are loose, flying clothes. Moreover, I do not urge everyone to turn in black from head to toe. I offer a variety of color combinations of black with other shades - beige, pink, purple, green, yellow, blue and so on.
Thank you, Rafia, that you, a native of the United Arab Emirates, are talking about this. Many people are absolutely sure that wearing abayas by women who are not citizens of the UAE or neighboring countries looks insulting to the local population.
I am a designer, and this does not offend me in the least, but only pleases me when I see a beautiful woman in a beautiful and comfortable abaya, well suited to her height, figure or color. Today we are creating a modern Arabic fashion. And I believe that if it comes to the comfort of a woman, her self-confidence, then regardless of nationality, she can choose a beautiful abaya. Especially in summer. It’s so convenient! Even if the abaya will be bought as a long jacket over the main outfit. It is stylish, beautiful and expressive! For the winter, I came up with abaya pants, and at first glance the pants are invisible, since the whole design is long, flying and looks more like a wide skirt. Just looking closely, you can understand that these are trousers. Modern women work a lot, travel, keep an eye on the house and children. It is important for me that they feel good in any situation.
When did you first start sewing abaya?
When I went to study in London. I was born and raised in the UAE, where all the women around me wore abayas. I was the only one who did not wear local clothes. And one fine day, I suddenly realized that I wanted to wear my national clothes. Then I went to the market and found only a few Abai made in Saudi Arabia that I liked. Then I went around all the shops selling local clothes, and I realized that their range was not enough for me. Neither the quality of the fabrics, nor the color, nor the finish suited me. From that moment, I decided that I would make abayi myself. For more than 25 years I have been sewing, and my first store in Al Ain was opened in 1990. Today, Mausan boutiques are also in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and I already plan to enter other markets in neighboring countries. In addition, I began to develop my own perfume line, where the East meets the West. This is as important in Arab countries as beautiful clothes. Hope to launch the first perfume in September of this year.
Who supported your initiative?
First of all, of course, my father. And then, my customers, who liked what I was doing, and they asked me to expand the range of products. I entered a private art school, where I studied art history and all related disciplines, in the same place in London I studied English and French. In addition, I also have an economic education, which allows me to conduct business today, clearly understanding all its components, that is, not only creative, but also financial. I like to learn.
I think you can learn all your life. What is the name of the Mausan brand?
Mausan in Arabic means mother of pearl. In this word, the essence of my work - brilliance and beauty should not be catchy, but gentle and attractive, like mother-of-pearl overflows of noble pearls. I am convinced that many local residents are happy to buy your abayas. Do you happen to know which of them has the largest collection of Mausan Abai houses?
I know. I had the largest collection, but one of my regular customers - a UAE citizen, who orders up to 100 Abai a week, in my opinion, overtook me.
What kind of abayi is a new generation of young emirate women buying?
I emphasize once again - abaya, being local clothing, should be elegant, comfortable and beautiful, but without unnecessary jewelry. Abaya should not look like a curtain with many sparkles or rhinestones. Let it be a few diamonds in the decor, rather than a bunch of unnecessary sequins to anyone. Modern Arab women primarily acquire abayas that look luxurious. Chic, elegance and the highest quality of cut and fabrics - these are the main parameters of my abai.
Today I am working on a special collection for Ramadan, and I will be happy if one of your readers comes to my boutique for a new holiday abaya from Mausan.
Thank you, Rafia. I wish you success and blessed Ramadan.
