Hala Al Mamari is a fashion brand founded by the dreamer Hala herself who chased her dream and turned it into a fruitful reality. With the release of her latest collection, Oman Magazine had a quick interview to find out more about the face behind the brand.
What sparked your interest in fashion?
I used to hand stitch dresses, drapes, bedding for my dolls at a very young age; I had an eye for unique details like hand embroidery and vintage jewellery. Vintage fashion has also been an inspiration for me and it has never disappointed to fascinate me. Looking at trends or designs of any given era says a lot about the society and women of that period and that is what inspired me to appreciation design.
What made you take fashion more seriously and make a career out of it?
I graduated with honours and was offered a job in the field of finance but it didn’t feel right. I knew I wanted to work in a creative environment and decided to start my own business as I wanted flexible hours and the ability to work from home and spend as much time as possible with my lovely daughters. I took some courses to see if fashion design is a good fit for me and my career. I instantly fell in love with it, my teachers encouraged me to kickstart my business, so I decided to go for it.
Are you a self-taught designer or did you study fashion design?
Although I took few courses, I do consider myself self-taught and I’m still learning. I love to read a lot about vintage techniques more than current trends, and by combining different techniques I try to create unique pieces. Are there any types of clothing that you avoid designing? I don’t really avoid anything but I do like to accentuate women’s curves, and I love combining colours and playing with our signature 3D embroidery as well.
How do influences from outside of Oman find their way into your work?
In today’s world, It’s hard to limit what influences or inspires you to a geographic area as globalisation and technology have overcome geographic limits. I can’t say I’m influenced by a trend, a specific designer or a culture but I’m mostly inspired by nature. You’ll find a lot of floral inspiration in my work, and fashion between the 20’s and 60’s continue to inspire me.
What would you like to achieve in 2019?
We are currently working on our website and hoping to launch it before the beginning of 2019. We are also working on a bridal collection and expanding our client base in other countries.
Keep up with Hala Al Mamari and her elegant brand on Instagram.com/hala.almamari
