{"id":2404,"date":"2022-08-30T11:57:29","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T11:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/review-discretion-by-faiza-guene-explores-the-struggles-of-fitting-in\/"},"modified":"2022-08-30T11:57:29","modified_gmt":"2022-08-30T11:57:29","slug":"review-discretion-by-faiza-guene-explores-the-struggles-of-fitting-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=2404","title":{"rendered":"Review: \u2018Discretion\u2019 by Faiza Guene explores the struggles of fitting in"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From Farfetch to luxury department stores, designer Shatha Essa talks success on Emirati Women\u2019s Day<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\nDUBAI: For Emirati designer Shatha Essa, her roots and identity mean everything. \u201cMy heritage is incredibly important to me and I want to share that with the world,\u201d she told Arab News as she shared her experience of being an entrepreneur in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The eponymous label emerged from the Dubai-based womenswear visionary\u2019s love for design and her passion to support different causes. \u201cMy label not only acts as a platform for my creativity but serves communities in need,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is achieved through supporting artisans across a diverse range of cultures and nationalities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCreating garments with a story, each collection fuses the traditional crafts and embroideries from these artisans, which in turn allows us to create employment opportunities,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\nShatha\u00a0Essa launched her luxury label in 2016. (Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\nEarlier this year, Essa released a collection titled \u201cEthereal Oasis\u201d that explores commonalities between the UAE and Tunisia. The entrepreneur hired female artisans from Tunisia to help her create the offering.<\/p>\n
\nEssa teamed up with specialists in handwoven buttons, in turn improving the welfare of local women in rural areas by generating employment opportunities, as well as promoting the preservation of craftsmanship in the North African nation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nOne of her greatest achievements to date has been partnering with Dubai Cares to fund the construction of a school in rural Nepal, providing access to quality education to the children in the area. “Volunteering and philanthropy are extremely important to me. From a young age, I have been volunteering my time to help those less fortunate and when I started my own business, supporting CSR initiatives was one of my goals. I partnered with Dubai Cares in 2018 to build a school to provide quality education to underprivileged children in Nepal. Every child deserves an education, whether they are affected by poverty or emergencies,” said Essa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n“The school was completed in 2019 and it still fills me with pride knowing that children will continue to receive quality education for years to come,” she added.<\/p>\n
\nEssa got her start when she launched her luxury label in 2016 and many of her collections are inspired by Emirati culture. \u201cI had always dreamed of starting my own brand, but it wasn\u2019t until I had the privilege of meeting the late Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, who inspired me to take the step and launch my brand,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nBeing an Emirati woman, Essa said she did not face any challenges when launching her brand. \u201cAs an Emirati woman, I am supported by my family, my community and the UAE Government, which supports and develops entrepreneurs,\u201d she said. \u201cThe challenges I faced were in relation to starting a new business such as dealing with suppliers and facing fabric delays.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHowever, if she had any advice for her younger self, it would be to \u201ctrust your intuition and don\u2019t take no for an answer.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThe brand is sold both regionally and internationally at retailers such as Farfetch, Threads Styling, Ounass, BySymphony Dubai, Harvey Nichols Riyadh, Harvey Nichols Doha, Galeries Lafayette Doha, Tryano Abu Dhabi, Saks Fifth Avenue Bahrain and Elevnish, with more international retailers being added in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n