Faiza Bouguessa

Faiza Bouguessa (born 1983)[1] is an Algerian-French fashion designer and creative director. She is the founder of Bouguessa, a fashion brand which aims to familiarize modest clothing while being eco-friendly.

Early life and education

Faiza Bouguessa was born in France to Algerian parents.[2] She grew up in France, around women who were passionate about fashion and design.[2] Her grandmother was a seamstress, and Faiza's first introduction to garment making was in her early years while spending time with her grandmother, who taught her the basics of knitting and sewing.[2][3][4] Her mother encouraged her to become a fashion designer from a young age.[5]

Bouguessa took numerous internships in tailor shops while studying English literature at Jean Moulin university in Lyon from 2002 until 2004.[3] Throughout these internships, she learned the basics of pattern making and developed an understanding for fabric characteristics. She was unable to attend fashion school due to financial restraints.[1]

While slowly building her brand and position into the fashion world, she was a fashion stylist for Freelance in Dubai (2010 - 2013) and also part of the cabin crew for the airline Emirates in Dubai (2006-2012).[3]

Career

With Roland Mouret's help as a mentor,[6] and drawing on her love of her French-Algerian heritage and values, Bouguessa founded her brand, Bouguessa, in her studio in Dubai Design District in 2014.[7][8] She had met Mouret through a mentoring program with the Dubai Fashion and Design Council.[6]

The clothing brand initially sold abayas,[1] before expanding to garments such as dresses, shirts, trousers and coats. The main objective behind the brand is to promote sustainability within clothing[9] by integrating a cross-cultural communication and acceptance towards modest fashion and to ensure women of backgrounds and sizes to feel confident and comfortable in her clothing.[5][10] Bouguessa aims to achieve these aims by taking a minimalist approach to wardrobe staples,[10] with "soft hues and clean lines,"[8] and drawing inspiration from clothing such as kaftans, and abayas to bridge the gap between cultures.[3][11] [12] The brand releases four collections each year.[4][7]

The brand made an appearance at Milan Fashion Week in 2015.[3] Bouguessa's designs grew immensely in popularity when Beyoncé wore a piece by Bouguessa for a photoshoot in 2017.[3][13] The piece sold out nearly instantly.[3] In 2018, some of Bouguessa's designs were included in an exhibit on contemporary Muslim fashion curated by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.[14]

In 2021, Bouguessa was ranked 29th in Forbes' list of 40 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands;[4] the next year, she was ranked 26th on their 30 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands list.[15]

Personal life

Bougessa is married.[2][16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Minthe, Caterina (April 27, 2014). "Stylish, Modern Abayas: Bouguessa | Style.com/Arabia". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Scarborough, Eliza (2018-03-13). "15 Minutes With… Faiza Bouguessa". A&E Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Knutsen, Elisa (2018-06-09). "Beyoncé-worn brand Bouguessa is ideal for an elegant Eid". Arab News. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  4. 1 2 3 Mughal, Waqar. "Faiza Bouguessa - Women Behind Brands 2021". Forbes Lists. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  5. 1 2 Stewart, Gracie (2018-11-27). "Faiza Bouguessa On The Global Appeal Of The Abaya | Fashion". MOJEH. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  6. 1 2 Sessions, Amy (2020-09-09). "The perfect cut – Faiza Bouguessa". Emirates Woman. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  7. 1 2 "Redefine elegance with Faiza Bouguessa". Khaleej Times. February 25, 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  8. 1 2 "In the office with... Faiza Bouguessa, Founder of BOUGUESSA". Emirates Woman. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  9. ↑ "Faiza Bouguessa's Pledge For The Planet". Grazia Middle East. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  10. 1 2 "The Fashion Interview: Faiza Bouguessa". SheerLuxe. 2023-01-18. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  11. ↑ "Bouguessa Make Modest Fashion Clothes That Don't Compromise on an Iota of Style". Official Bespoke. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  12. ↑ Jordan, Ellenti. "Old money woman". Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  13. ↑ Ghanem, Khaoula (August 22, 2017). "Beyoncé's Velvet Bouguessa Robe is Already Sold Out". Vogue Magazine: 117–121.
  14. ↑ "First Friday: Textile Traditions in Contemporary Muslim Fashions". textilesocietyofamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  15. ↑ Mughal, Waqar. "Faiza Bouguessa - Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands 2022". Forbes Lists. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  16. ↑ "24 Hours With Dubai-based Fashion Designer Faiza Bouguessa". Harper's Bazaar Arabia. August 4, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
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