More About Me
As a young boy, I watched my mother create evening gowns at our dining room table, inspired by her mother, a celebrated seamstress in 1920s Cairo. I made my first patterns for my "Bert and Ernie" dolls from scraps of velvet and satin from mom's cuttings.
At age three, I was captivated by The Sonny & Cher Show. I was convinced Cher was an angel in her stunning Bob Mackie outfits, & her nonchalance when tossing her luxurious hair. That is when I knew I to wanted empower women worldwide with the transformative magic of evening gowns.
Raised in a conservative Middle Eastern household, I was steered towards math and science, eventually earning a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. At 26, I returned to school for fashion, still fascinated by the architectural elegance of pattern making. My math and science training gave me a competitive edge as I navigated the fashion industry blending creativity with an analytical background.
I got my big break a few years later at Ralph Lauren, where I spent a decade as Senior Director of the dress division, learning from industry leaders. I started to cultivate my signature Old Hollywood Glam aesthetic, creating iconic styles that cemented my reputation in the dress community. My trajectory continued to sky rocket earning me Vice President and Creative Director roles.
When COVID struck and the world was locked down and confined to sweat pants, I launched my namesake collection.
Determined not to sacrifice quality for profit by 'cost cutting', 'mass production', 'hurry up and wait' ethos of the industry, I modeled myself after the great couturiers: Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Halston. I wanted the clothes to be luxurious, well made, elevated pieces - the opposite of fast fashion.
The common thread throughout my career has been designing clothes that celebrate femininity, sensuality, empowerment. With emphasis on environmental awareness, cultural awareness, & fair labor practices, my goal has always been to uplift the world with beautiful, exuberant, pieces built to withstand the test of time.