With assertive, whimsical and modern aesthetics, it isn’t a surprise Madiyah Al Sharqi’s eponymous label, which recently launched its SS19 pop-up store in Dubai Design District, is a regional favourite. Lana El Sahely, Nathalie Fanj, Nour Arida, Hala Abdallah and Rania Fawaz are just some of the fashionistas who have been spotted rocking her designs.
What’s more, her collections have been putting the UAE on the international fashion map. After going global when she launched in US stores like Five Story, Copious Row and Curve, as well as some boutiques in Europe, the Emirati designer has been dressing countless stars, with some of the most recent being Camila Coelho, Khloé Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, Priyanka Chopra and Leslie Mann.
Al Sharqi, who also happens to be a princess (she is the daughter of the ruler of Fujairah, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi), grew up wearing high fashion and custom-made gowns for all the various events she had to attend. She consequently became enamoured of the design process and embarked on a journey with her label in 2012 after graduating from Esmod, France’s prestigious fashion school.
With her background in mind, it isn’t surprising Al Sharqi, who has a studio in Fujairah, started off by designing collections that featured dressy pieces with luxurious fabrics and lavish embellishment. For example, a modern day Marie Antoinette inspired her first collection. However, by the time Al Sharqi was creating her spring/summer 2017 collection, a design pivot had taken place. By then, she was taking on a global audience and more contemporary, easy-to-wear pieces were called for. As well as still using her signature delicate and deluxe fabrics like lace, feminine details such as ruffles and flounces, embroidered beading and unexpected accents, she started incorporating materials like denim and gingham to convey her new ready-to-wear ethos.
“Today’s woman has abandoned head-to-toe luxe in favour of making a statement through simple silhouettes and unconventional details coupled with an unapologetic, go-getter attitude,” Al Sharqi told “Savoir Flair” while explaining the new contemporary direction. “That’s why we have consciously created more daywear separates that can easily be incorporated into your daily wardrobe while still possessing the Madiyah Al Sharqi DNA.”
Al Sharqi, who interned at Lebanese fashion house Abed Mahfouz, is usually inspired by different eras in time. And her dreamy, intricate yet simple designs with sleek textures, minimalist lines, striking colours and bold 70s silhouettes can be found on the brand’s e-commerce platform, which she launched in February 2017. “Women navigate through fashion differently now and are always on the pulse of the latest things online and want them quite instantly,” she told “Vogue Arabia.” “[To have] that direct connection through e-commerce is essential.” The Modist.com and Ounass UAE are other online portals where you can find her designs.
