features/ew winners
THE VISIONARIES MAHA ABDUL RASHEED OWNER OF VINTAGE BOUTIQUE BAMBAH
HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN YOU WON YOUR CATEGORY? It’s a great confidence
boost and has already encouraged me to explore new ideas and ventures. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO EXPAND YOUR PROJECTS? After all the positive feedback,
I’d love to expand in the Middle East, opening boutiques in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Beirut. In the long run, I’d love to diversify and start a bakery – it’s my second favourite hobby, after collecting vintage. YOUR STYLE ICON? Souad Hosny and Jean Patchett – I like the way they’re both very feminine and very confident in their styles. I also admire Olivia Palermo’s elegant style. She mixes different labels, which makes her style unique. YOUR CREATIVE ICON? Raha Moharrak, who designed Bambah’s identity. I love how she doesn’t depend on a computer programme to enhance her work. She always thinks outside the box. WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?
Style is about wearing your mood. Ultimately, I don’t believe there should be any rules when it comes to fashion and I don’t usually follow trends. I love it when an outfit makes a strong statement that says something about the person. I have a soft spot for ruffles, bows and polka dots. YOUR ROLE MODEL? My grandmother. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO REVOLUTIONISE THE FASHION SCENE IN THE UAE? I think people in the UAE
are generally fashionable, but I would like people to integrate more vintage wear into their wardrobe. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES HAS THE UAE GIVEN YOU IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAM? There is so much room
for innovation. I love learning about other cultures. I also like the bridge between Western and Eastern cultures that you experience here. It’s a very cosmopolitan city with a lot of style and stylish people who enjoy looking good and standing out from the crowd. FUTURE PLANS? I have a couple of [work] shopping trips planned over the next couple of months which should be fun. But, eventually, I would like to venture into bakery as a long-term plan once Bambah is a little older! JANUARY 2012
EMIRATES WOMAN
53