Oman Magazine catches up with Sumeha Mehaboob Qasim, the visionary founder of Aquillora and Maiyasa Moosa Al Noofli, the creative director. Established in 2017, the duo brings their entrepreneurial and creative skills to push boundaries and create a brand that goes beyond the ordinary.
Tell us about Aquillora, its story and the meaning behind its name.
Originally born in the city of Muscat out of the passion for modest apparel, Aquillora was founded on the desire to create something that was the result of a burning passion to push the boundary on what quality meant in this market. While on this journey, we realized that the brand was the manifestation of something higher than just making and selling pretty clothes. It was an inner calling; a vague yet powerful desire to create something that stood as a statement and symbol for something higher than material satisfaction.
The name is the combination of two latin-origin words, ‘Aquila’, which means eagle, and ‘Nora’, which means honor, symbolizing our brand’s essence of courage and honor.
How did Aquillora bring you both together?
Serendipity had a big hand in bringing together our little team of people from completely different walks of life, exactly when each of us was looking for something pleasantly challenging to work on. What has kept us together for so long is the passion we share for our work.
How do you reflect Oman in your brand?
We are proud to reflect Oman’s rich culture, heritage and craftsmanship in our collections. Each piece is designed and crafted with exceptional passion and love in Oman. ‘The Jewel of Arabia’ is a special capsule collection we created to honor Omani National Day. Inspired by traditional Omani silver jewelry, each piece is adorned with embellished details mirroring the intricate patterns and craftsmanship that are hallmarks of Omani artistry. While Odyssey of Power sparks Omani heritage through intricate hand embellished motifs.
Oman is extremely close to our heart and we are proud to be a brand from Oman that aims to leave its mark on the international fashion scene.
Odyssey of Power has a very profound and powerful message behind it. Can you elaborate on this?
Following up our successful debut collection, ‘The Courage Spur’, we knew we had to outdo ourselves in terms of taking the story of our second collection to the next level. So, we decided to begin at the ending of the story of The Courage Spur, culminating at the attainment of Serenity. That notion spurred us on our next journey, which resulted in our second collection: Odyssey of Power.
This second full collection is a profound exploration of the journey of achieving personal power, as a result of feeling the freedom to dream, pursuing these dreams and what happens thereafter. Quintessentially Aquillora-like, this collection features five distinct stages experienced in this journey: The Dreaming, The Pursuit, Power, Indulgence and The Descending.
How did you translate this message onto the designs? Tell us about the creative journey behind the collection.
The entire collection is multi-faceted and richly explores the nuances of the emotional beats of the story of dreams and power. Odyssey of Power is split into five stages, representing the corresponding emotional stages experienced on this journey to achieving power. Each stage has its own sets of inspirations stemming from architecture, art, nature and a lot more.
For instance, the first stage, ‘The Dreaming’ captures the feeling of dreams. We worked with luxurious co-ord sets of pants, blazers and coats, with bold silhouettes fit for the dreamer in each one of us. As dreams sometimes show us specs of extreme details, this is translated onto sheer, multi-coloured, geometric patterns. While paradoxical architectural patterns are artistically placed on monochrome vest and blazer sets. On the other hand, contrasting elements in flowy, painstakingly layered organza fabrics to emphasize the vivid haziness of dreams.
Similarly, each stage has its own process of translating abstract ideas into tangible designs.
How would you describe the Aquillora woman?
A self-actualizing modern woman who has a courageous heart going after her most important dreams fearlessly, while upholding her values and principles all the way through her journey.
Describe Aquillora in 3 words.
Courage, Quality and Stories.
As the founder and creative director of the brand, how do you both navigate through the challenges that come your way?
Navigating challenges is both a test of resilience and an opportunity for growth. They inspire us to think creatively, whether it’s reimagining a design, pivoting strategies, or addressing unexpected issues with innovative solutions.
Our team’s diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving are invaluable assets in overcoming obstacles. By staying true to the brand’s purpose and maintaining a clear, focused vision, we remain grounded and confident, even in times of uncertainty.
What are your goals for Aquillora?
Our goal is simple: To become the best modest fashion brand in the world, known for our commitment to quality and cultivating enduring relationships with our customers.
What is your message for the young Omani generation looking to follow in your footsteps?
Courage is everything for a life well-lived. Our message would be to hold your home and values close to your heart and not be afraid of venturing out into the big world at the same time.
Discover more on Aquillora’s socials here.
