GOWNS, GLORIOUS GOWNS Designer Zaeem Jamal talks luxury, lifestyle and 15,000 Swarovski crystals
ABS: Zaeem Jamal describes itself as ‘design alchemy in motion’ – what does this mean? ZJ: ‘Alchemy’ essentially refers to a process – it is a journey of transformation, the creation of the best and highest form. In a physical sense, each piece is transformed when all of our signature elements, including expert artistic hand-craftsmanship, specially dyed colours, intricate embroidery and drapery, are combined.
ABSOLUTELY: How did you get into fashion design? ZAEEM JAMAL: It was a natural progression. I am the third generation of my family working in the textile business – both my grandfathers started in the industry. Growing up learning about fabrics, craftsmanship and quality during the vibrant fashioncentric 80s in London definitely helped shape my interest in fashion. ABS: You studied at London School of Economics and also London College of Fashion – a shrewd business move. How has this helped your commercially? ZJ: I have always enjoyed both sides of the spectrum. I followed both the Arts and Sciences, so it was a natural progression rather than a strategic move. As the creative side of things came so easily to me, I felt it was important to understand the machinations of business and finance. So after school I studied at LSE before plunging into the world of creativity and design. Summer schooling at LCF during university helped fine-tune some of the skills, but the creative side of fashion was really always an innate part of me. ABS: You launched the Z for Z label and then Zaeem Jamal, your namesake line, in 2009. How do the two brands differ? ZJ: When I first began establishing my own label, I explored all aspects of the luxury world. Everywhere I could see the desire for beauty, empowerment, style and innovation. Why wear less than the best? My mission is to create excellent clothes for people to experience and wear wherever they want
ABS: Is there a particular one of your dresses you would single out as being ultimately your favourite? ZJ: Each collection and each dress is special in its own way, so it would be like asking a parent to choose a favourite child!
to look and feel amazing. Lifestyle is as important an issue to me as luxury. I am creating an experience of luxury in the Z for Z brand and wearability in the Zaeem Jamal brand, so there is an interesting synergy between the two brands. ABS: Your first collection won ‘Best New Designer of the Year’ at Dubai Fashion Week – that must have been pretty amazing… ZJ: Dubai is an exciting city and really encourages innovation. After designing the first collection inspired by the Seven Sins, we were invited to preview it in Dubai and received so much attention that the organisers of Fashion Week asked us to participate. To then win Best New Designer was, of course, a great honour.
ABS: Where are your gowns made? ZJ: In our own atelier, by incredibly talented master craftsmen in each section of the dressmaking process – from patter masters and tailors, through to our embroiderers using age-old traditions which began in India. ABS: Where are your fabrics, gems and leather sourced from? ZJ: Our ‘sourcing with integrity’ policy is a strong element in everything we do. Our leathers, for example, used in our handbags and shoes, are carefully researched during development meaning we only select leather from herds that have been reared with care. The gems are currently sourced from specific crystal partners in the UK from a variety of locations around the world, whilst our pure silk fabrics (including very fine chiffons) are mostly sourced in India.
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26/09/2013 20:24