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Fashion Princess
Royal-born Madiyah Al Sharqi talks to T Emirates about her life as an Emirati princess and the success of her label, which is enhancing her reputation as one of the UAEs most promising designers.
By Orna Ballout

People might think its nice to be a princess, but sometimes its not, because all eyes are on you, everyone knows what youre doing, where youre going, and you cant do anything but there are also advantages where you can help people,

Growing up in the Emirate of Fujairah, ruled

Madiyah Al Sharqi is available at Symphony Boutique and S*uce Boutique. For more information, visit madiyahalsharqi.com
Issue 3, 2013 45

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T Emirates: The New York Times Style Magazine

images courtesy of Madiyah Al Sharqi.

by her father, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Madiyah Al Sharqis life was destined to be different. But with a down-toearth and warm personality, everything about Madiyah herself is quite normal. People might think its nice to be a princess, but sometimes its not, because all eyes are on you, everyone knows what youre doing, where youre going, and you cant do anything but there are also advantages where you can help people, she says. One advantage, which would influence her career choice, was being immersed in the world of haute couture, with designers regularly visiting her palace to create custommade gowns for her family. As a child, the princess often travelled abroad with her mother, mostly to Lebanon, to visit the fashion houses of designers (and family friends) such as Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab and Abed Mahfouz. She even interned with the latter for three weeks during her second year of studies at Esmod Fashion Institute in Dubai. It was such a good experience when I interned there. It didnt feel like work, more like being with friends because I knew everyone, she recalls. However, fashion wasnt always her calling. Before enrolling at Esmod Dubai, Madiyah studied political science at Zayed University for six months. I knew it definitely was not for me, she says of the experience.

Madiyah Al Sharqis A/W collection is inspired by the Art Deco style of the 1920s.

However, since then, the 23-year-old designers career has gone from strength to strength. After just three seasons, her fashion collection is now available in 17 retail outlets across the GCC. Madiyah says success came early, with her second collection already generating profit. Im overwhelmed. Everything is a real shock for me, I didnt expect it at all, she says. While her mother is her biggest supporter, Madiyah reveals that she had a tougher time convincing her father, His Highness Sheikh Hamad. The turning point, she says, was when I showed him all the media coverage; from the fact that my second season was profitable he knew I was serious about it, and now he really supports me. Fujairah, the emirate where the princess grew up, has shaped her fashion ideals, Madiyah says. Fujairah is simple; even our house is simple, theres nothing extravagant about it and I think Im mainly inspired by this simplicity in everything I create. A simple palace? Its not that simple, but compared to the others, maybe, she giggles. Madiyah says simplicity is fast becoming a defining feature of her work. I always mix a lot of fabrics, such as leather, wool, fur and chiffon and Im noticing that I tend to color block a lot. Travel has also played an important role in influencing

her approach. I think its been really helpful for my career, as it has opened my eyes design-wise. I take things Ive learned from overseas and create designs from an Arab perspective, with a touch of modesty, she reveals. Her extensive travels have also given her the opportunity to shop everywhere. Paris is hands down the best, she says, before revealing that her wardrobes are so full that half of her possessions are hidden away in suitcases. Although Madiyah always designs with Arab women in mind, different muses play a role in each of her collections, the most prolific being Marie Antoinette. Im obsessed with her! She inspired my first collection. Its the way she lived, the story of her life, her fashion, everything about her inspires me, she enthuses. At the time of our interview, Madiyah is busy preparing to travel to India to compete for the International Woolmark Prize. Her entry involved creating a capsule collection that, if successful, could lead to her participating in Milan Fashion Week. My aim is to develop my business in the Middle East and take it international. This is one of my biggest dreams, she smiles.