An Emirati designer brings heritage and craftsmanship to Milan Fashion Week

For Emirati fashion designer Reem Al Jasmi, heritage is not a restriction on design, but rather a springboard for innovation. This vision is reflected in her work, which is inspired by the values ​​of elegance, modesty, and attention to detail, and reformulates them in a design language that transcends the local context.

On the sidelines of Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Al Jasmi presented the “Afterglow” collection, inspired by the sky after sunset and the color transformations it brings. In an interview with the Arabic website ofuq News, Al Jasmi explained the implications of this participation, the sources of inspiration behind the collection, and the role of handcraftsmanship in shaping her style, in addition to her vision of how Arab designers can contribute to the global fashion scene.

Al Jasmi described her collection's presentation in Milan as a moment of personal and professional pride, the result of years of work and dedication. She saw the participation as an opportunity to present her designs to an international audience, and to introduce a wider sector to the brand’s identity and the craftsmanship it is based on.

In her collection, the sky after sunset turned into a starting point for building a color palette represented by designs that combine gold, blue, beige, black, and red. Al Jasmi explained that she wanted the designs to reflect the image of a confident and elegant woman, whose presence would remain in the memory even after she left the place.

She also made sure that each piece had its own character, within a collection that maintained its cohesion at the same time. Handcraftsmanship was one of the basic foundations of Al Jasmi’s work, especially the embroidery and fine details that give the designs their oriental character. She pointed out that these techniques require time and skill, and that she is keen to highlight the craftsmanship in the pieces, and not treat them as a mere decorative addition.

As for the position of Arab designers in the global fashion industry, Al Jasmi pointed to the experience they offer in embroidery, craftsmanship, layering, and designing occasion fashions. She considered that these elements, in addition to attention to detail and individual expression, add diverse perspectives to the global scene, and allow the presentation of designs that carry cultural specificity without losing their ability to communicate with an international audience.

Al Jasmi confirmed that her goal in the next stage is to develop fashion collections that preserve the house’s identity and its level of craftsmanship, in parallel with expanding the brand’s presence in international markets.