subject: Tellusfashion Talks To Shaeka By K.e. Patterns Designer Ghadeer
[print this page] "My design philosophy is three C's - contrast, contrast and contrast," says fashion designer Ghadeer Al Ghazali, since Oman. "The initial contrast is about the style, so that each theme must be contrasting from the others, but within a stunning way. The second contrast is about materials and textile. I love different mash ups. The last contrast is about colours. I love playing with colors that don't match and make a masterpiece out of it," she adds.
Ghadeer Al Ghazali changed her hobby of fashion and designing into a career. "I started by buying plain handbags and heels from abroad, taking them home and customizing them with crystals. I decided to expand my business and start my own line of personalized bags," says Ghadeer.
To begin with, her brand was called Kristall Exquisite. She was designing heels and bags with Swarovski crystals. After she stretched her designing capabilities, she replaced her label name to K.E Patterns. Shortly after, due to her origin and to enhance her uniqueness, she added an Arabic word to her brand. She chose to use the word shaekha' to tie within with her brand's identity, which within Arabic means a woman with a high status'. And so, Shaekha by K.E Designs was born.
Ghadeer feels fortunate to be living in Oman, where the ethnicity, tradition and heritage are greatly appreciated. All her designs have a touch of Omani twist, as she states. Complexity is the predominant aim of her patterns, but at the same time a person that Ghadeer imagines wearing her designs is not afraid to stand out and to be special.
"Colors, texture and prints inspire me. There isn't any specific example for my inspiration, but I mostly get influenced by architecture because it has all three elements that encourage me," says the Omani designer.
Talking about her achievements, Ghadeer expanded her patterns to evening wear and participated within a fashion show, which was about inspiration and translation - inspiration since the handbag and translation to the evening wear.
The new collection of Shaekha by K.E Patterns focuses on a more casual style, rather than evening handbags. Colours and prints are more unconventional and make the patterns look more exceptional. This time her new colour palette contains only vibrant colours.
"I am working on a unique silhouette of handbags, other than my signature oversized clutch, and this time it will be aimed at the more elegant mature woman. Anyway, my designs will never lose an Eastern twist."
When I asked the designer what we can expect from her within the future, she replied: "Expect the unforeseen. Just be sure that you will see a lot of divergent colours, textures and styles."
