Bollywood movies are a big inspiration: Sara Al Madani

By now you all must know that we here at City Times are big fans of Sara Al Madani. Impressively, she's a woman of many talents - she's an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, the youngest board member of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and of course a fashion designer and founder of Sara Al Madani Fashion Design presents Rouge Couture. Her beautifully draped and embroidered abayas are worn by a diverse number of women in the UAE who although hail from different cultural backgrounds come together in their love for simple cuts, flowing elegance and detailed embellishments. Taking inspiration for her designs from a number of sources, both traditional and modern, we spoke to Sara about those elements that combine the best of her own Emirati culture and that of India, which include the dazzling in your face aesthetic of Bollywood to more traditional ways of embellishing.
 
Your abayas are very popular among local women and women living in the UAE of different heritages. Do you find that many people of Indian heritage are fans of your work?
Yes, it is very popular. What is nice about the abaya is that a lot of people from different cultures are adapting to it, and they like it because they wear it in their own way. Some women wear it as a cape, some women wear it as jackets, some women wear it over dresses. You don't have to be an Emirati and from the same culture to wear one. With regards to the Indian community, yes, I have a lot of clients who are Indians and they are very fond of their abaya. They started using it and it became part of their life. India is very cultural and so is the UAE, so for two countries that have culture, culture exchange becomes easier. Similar to how we like Indian culture, they like ours. I have seen a tremendous openness with Indian people wearing the abaya.
 
Have you visited India? And if you have, what did you enjoy about it?
I did go to India so many times, and what I love about it is the culture and how people are so simple and kind. I am a curious person so wherever I travel I like to know more about the history of the place I go to. They have a rich history; so many religions, different mentalities, different cultures - it is all under one roof and it's so fascinating. I would definitely go back to India again.
 
Where do you get your ideas or inspiration when it comes to the Indian elements that appear in your design work?
85% of my work is based on embroidery and since half of my staff is from India, I love mixing their culture with our Emirati culture. I constantly brainstorm with my team and we come up with various designs on how we can include Indian influences into the abaya. We create the designs together and are always encouraging each other for input. My team teaches me about the history of embroidery and I absolutely love it! I love exploring different cultures and adding them to my traditional pieces, this is why I continue doing it. Almost all my collections have Indian influences and details in them.
 
What about Bollywood? Has that been an inspiration in your work?
Bollywood is something that inspires me because of the gorgeous pieces they wear. I always come back to my staff and show them pictures and they explain to me the history and definition behind it. Every shape has a meaning and whenever my team or I add an element they say you can tell a story through the embroidery. I love having a message in every piece I create. Bollywood movies are a big inspiration!
 
What is something unique in Emirati design that you think Indian designers can get inspiration from?
There is something called Mukhawar in our tradition - it's a kind of embroidery. Another type of embroidery we have in the Emirati culture is Talli. This is done in a very interesting way - it is handmade, colourful, unique and very specific when it comes to its details. Talli is beautiful and traditional. We still carry this and incorporate it into our culture and strive to preserve the art of Talli. It is a craft that is being revived in so many royal families who are trying to teach their young ones. I think if the Indian culture is exposed to this form of embroidery it would inspire a lot of their designs.