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Lamya Abedin plays her cards right

Local designer is closing Arab Fashion Week tonight

Lamya Abedin's self-taught journey in design started out as a passion to find an exclusive one of a kind abaya, which led her to create a unique line of abayas and build the brand Queen of Spades.
She's now all set to debut her first collection of evening dresses, a highlight this evening at the close of Arab Fashion Week. City Times caught up with Lamya ahead of the show.

What inspired your latest collection - the evening dresses which you will be premiering tonight at Arab Fashion Week?
This is the first time I will be showcasing dresses on the catwalk. The collection - True Love - is an ode to timeless love stories. I have put together a luxurious, dreamy assortment of dresses and gowns that is sure to intrigue every romantic fashion personality.
The collection shows off romance across the years. You will find free-flowing georgettes, blossom prints and lace, interspersed with richer textures, luxurious silks, velvets and elaborate dual embroideries. Ostrich feather finish, decorative lace, double damask weaves, brocade fabrics, whalebone styles, high-waisted empire lines and jacquard techniques will be seen throughout the collection. Dainty ditsy prints, elaborate baroque florals and intricate Toile de Jouy styles play up the feminine charm typical of the romantic era. I have also introduced intentional rawness to some of the pieces to lend the creations an artisan style that is slated to be quite big this A/W season.

Bridal dresses are also part of this collection. What is your approach towards bridal wear and what are you inspired by?
True to the romantic style, the bridal wear emphasises flowing shapes, layers of lace, and subtle embellishments and embroidery. The bridal wear is always bespoke; custom-made to tell the love story of the blushing bride who will adorn the piece. No two dresses will ever be the same, just like each love story has a personal touch.

Do you believe that for an Emirati woman entrepreneur there are more opportunities now in the region than there were earlier?
I consider myself extremely fortunate and proud to be from the UAE, which is the fashion hub for the entire Middle East. Institutions and forums like Dubai Design and Fashion Council and Dubai Design District are doing a lot to organise the fashion industry and connect design, media, manufacturing, retail, international partners and stakeholders.
The one thing that would make an even bigger impact for local designers like me and change the way we do business is to have more international collaborations. We need access to more production houses, suppliers, textile fairs and fashion schools within our country instead of travelling across the world to source.

What's your style mantra.
I always like to ensure that my creations are wearable in a variety of ways - so while a celebrity can display it in a style that highlights her charm, the very same abaya/outfit can be worn with a shaila in a truly modest fashion. As a personal choice, I enjoy wearing a piece in many different ways - with or without a belt, with a variety of scarves and some pieces in my wardrobe can even be fashioned in a number of ways.
I often complement my creations with cultural inspirations, handiworks and embroideries that showcase customs, rituals and history of a place or era. My designs tend to give tradition a modern twist and the variety of styles lets me and my clientele find suitable attire for every occasion.