What to wear this Ramadan

Whether you're searching for feminine designs for an occasion or more casual boho chic outfits for everyday wear, there are Ramadan collections to meet every fashion sense.
Boho chic with a 70s vibe
Mimi Shakhashir is a woman with varied interests. "I must have done dozens of different courses when I was living in London and looking after my three kids," she says jovially during a brief interview. But it was her youngest daughter who inspired her to start a fashion line. With a love for colourful items, her daughter had Mimi creating unique outfits that she thought suited her character - and the idea behind her fashion label grew from there. 
"My mother also loved kimonos and kaftans and, so, I grew up with this idea that your clothes are supposed to be something that represent you and not just a particular brand or trend," she says. "So, when I came to the UAE, I started designing a line of kimonos and kaftans which slowly but surely grew into a brand."
It was the beginning of Kaleidoscope by Mimi, a brand that creates beautiful boho chic kaftans and accessories, that are influenced by fashion during the 60s and 70s. But Mimi was adamant that brand shouldn't just be about making women look and feel good, but giving back to communities that needed it.
"I've always wanted to work with people and not factories - in that way, as your brand grows, you can actually see the tailors and their families growing with it," explains Mimi. "So, when I was first approached by a woman from a centre in India that created embroidery, it all sort of came together."
She gradually developed contacts and started collaborating with artisans and craftspeople from communities around the world, from the Middle East and India to Thailand and Africa. Moreover, all materials used are sourced from such communities. It was an attempt to provide communities with work and an income. 
"Dubai is an unbelievably amazing place to connect with people from all over the world," says Mimi. "When people heard about what I was doing, so many others connected me with artisans who create handmade goods. It's just incredibly rewarding."
Today, Mimi knows that her designs are priced on the higher side but believes it's a must to help local communities get a fair pay for a day's work. There's also the issue of sourcing the materials from all over the world and the designing process, which is done within the UAE.  
"There has been a fashion revolution of late, with more and customers more conscious of what goes into their clothing," says Mimi. "And when you wear something that you know helped another human being, you feel better emotionally. It will be an outfit that you treasure and wear over and over again."
This Ramadan, Mimi's collection is all about starry nights, with embroidery of stars and half moons stitched into the kaftans. It's still casual but with a boho vibe that Mimi loves, coupled with some classic pieces. With Ramadan being a time to be charitable and give back, Mimi understands that the theme is very much in line with her own brand - and it's something she's pleased about, indeed. "The embroidery and materials may be shiny and pretty, but there's something even more important - they are made with love." 
(Kaleidoscope by Mimi is available at Galleries Lafayette, concept store at Le BHV/ Marais in CityWalk)
Simple yet elegant

Simple yet elegant, Bahraini designer Masooma Zuhair has undoubtedly got the recipe for success down pat. Just browse through the designs of her brand Abaya Wa Shaila (AWS), available at BEYOUboutique in Dubai, and you'll find feminine abayas that are comfortable enough to be worn all day long and yet stylish enough for a fancy Iftar out. With outfits that effortlessly take women from day to night, it's little wonder Masooma believes every woman will find something she loves within her collections.
"According to me, comfortable, modest and simple kaftans - with a touch of elegance - are exactly what women are on the lookout for during the Holy Month of Ramadan," explains the designer. "Simplicity is the finest approach to remain in style. Of course, for an Eid look, women usually opt for fancier dresses."
Keeping the needs and demands of the public in mind, Masooma has designed her 2018 Ramadan collection to be a blend comfort and style, with plenty of handcrafted beading, pearls and feathers incorporated to create a fashionable statement. The signature cuts further accentuate a woman's femininity, giving her a soft yet regal look. 
"The collection has been made with the richest of fabrics and great attention has gone to the detailing," says Masooma. "Every dress in AWS has been meticulously monitored from start until the very finish, when it reaches the customer, and all the designs are created in the UAE. It's what makes the brand so unique."
With a passion for style and design from a very young age, Masooma always knew she wanted to be a designer. And though she did not have any formal training in the field, it did not stop her from launching her brand in 2015. Today, she humbly credits her support system - her parents - for helping her get where she is. "My mother is my inspiration," she says. "She loves tailoring and she used to even sew my dresses when I was a baby. She always believed in my abilities while my dad encouraged me to take a step towards doing what I love."
Today, she is proud to be a part of the UAE's rapidly developing fashion scene. "The fashion industry in the Middle East is now able to compete with those around the world. It's lovely to be able to keep pace with the latest fashion trends, while obviously having options that show restraint to respect religion and culture." 
janice@khaleejtimes.com