HOMEGROWN TALENT

The Palestinian fashion designer behind Reemami, a Dubai-based label that boasts playful, whimsical pieces, ideal for sun-kissed days, meets Sarah Bladen to discuss how she got her big break and which stars shed love to dress.
Every so often, a designer bursts onto the fashion scene with a refreshingly individualist take on dressing-up. Besides being effortlessly stylish, Reema AlBanna is strikingly attractive and it is no wonder she has bagged several best-dressed awards in the region. Still, it is her steely determination, creative air and jeunesse sans frontires attitude that has got her to where she is today. The 26-year-old former graphic designer, who lives in Sharjah, pursued her appetite for fashion while still doing her day job by enrolling in a two-year course at Esmod, the French fashion institute in Dubai. It was a hectic time, recalls Al-Banna. I would nish work at 6 pm and rush to university so I wasnt late for class and study until 10 pm. I didnt mind being busy 24/7 and not even having time to scratch my head because I was doing something I loved. The turning point occurred when Al-Banna entered a design a dress competition for S*uce, the UAEs award-winning lifestyle boutique. That was an amazing moment, she says. Getting recognized by one of the most inuential boutiques in the region pushed me to pursue my dream and start Reemami. They made me feel like my collection already had a home and were very supportive in guiding me through my rst steps in the industry, she says. And so in 2010, the fashion brand Reemami was born. Brimming with unpredictable, welltailored pieces, often in sunshine-worthy hues, Al-Bannas label certainly stood out from the crowd. While the colors packed a punch, the unusual cuts gave it a luxe appeal. According to the founder of Reemami, the kind of woman who will feel comfortable in her designs big fan of Annie Leibovitz, I think shes an amazing portrait photographer. Theres also the wonderful fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier. When it comes to lm, Al-Banna is in awe of Baz Luhrmann (lm director, screenwriter, and producer) whose work she thinks is magical. When the Palestinian go-getter isnt busy sketching designs, shes likely to be found in a yoga studio or horse riding. And when she goes on a city break, she loves to seek out vintage fashion. Here in the UAE, she likes hanging out with her friends at Circle in Dubai. I love their delicious salads but for a proper feast we go to Aprons and Hammers, she says. At night time, she adores La Petite Maison in DIFC and Teatro. In addition, when it comes to dressing up for a night out on the town, Al- Banna is adamant that wearing ill-tting clothes is a real fashion faux-pas. I dont like women who wear too much make-up or have tattooed eyebrows, she admits. At the top of Al-Bannas dream list to dress is Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton. She would also be over the moon to see Solange Knowles, Alice Dellal, Olivia Wilde or Zoe Saldana wearing her designs. To make it in the cut-throat fashion industry, Al-Banna, who aspires to make her label an international success, believes that originality is crucial. Besides being innovative, I think being competitive and persistent are vital if you want to survive, she says. Moreover, if anyone possesses such qualities, it is certainly she. Reemami is available at S*UCE and Valleydez in the UAE. For more information visit reemami.com

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is someone who loves to be different a woman who is young at heart, daring and attractive in a subtle way. Reemami isnt for those who simply wish to follow the catwalk trends. When it comes to her own dress sense, Al-Banna says, My style is versatile. Its very much based on how or what I feel that particular day. I am fond of elegant pieces with unexpected cuts and I might mix them with chunky heels and big necklaces. If I had to sum up my style in one way, I would say it is experimental. I can go from bohemian to a classic monochrome look in the same day. Her fall collection is a nod to the 50s with a contemporary twist. I played with metallic leather, metallic laces and used them in very girly silhouettes while introducing some new cuts, she explains. For example, the Reemami capes come in pink and blue metallic. In her upcoming spring collection, you can bet your bottom dirham that there will be many luminous, colorful garments. Like many designers, Al-Banna gets her inspiration from everything she sees, experiences and feels. Im particularly inspired by art and photography, she admits. I love the American artist Jeff Koons, who is known for his reproduction of banal objects. Im also a