Meet Selina Farooqui, a Doha-based Award Winning Fashion Designer!

Today we meet Selina Farooqui,

Selina Farooqui, an award winning fashion designer(L’Officiel Inspirational Arab Woman Award 2012 – Young Designer of the Year, Doha, Qatar, 2012) created and launched her own label before she even completed her course at the young age of 25.

Selina Farooqui hails from India, raised in Doha, studied fashion at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCU-Q)

Invited to participate in global fashion shows including Tokyo, Istanbul, Virginia and MENA and 10 collection to her name, Selina will be showcasing her new collection later this year.

Let’s get to know Selina Farooqui,

1. How did you get started? My brand came about in an unexpected way. During my Junior year in university, during our annual fashion show, a local boutique spotted one of my jackets on the runway and approached me. At the time, I had created the collection as a university-only project, so to be approached by a buyer was an exciting and unexpected experience. She asked if I would design a special collection for her boutique; I said yes; and at that moment the brand was born. I then designed my logo, packaging, tags, everything really, and since that show in May 2010, my brand continues to grow and evolve, but still nods back to the aesthetic I created initially.

2. What is your main source of inspiration in designing? India is a huge source of inspiration for me, the fashion, the handiwork, the embroidery, the textiles, the craftsmanship…

3. how did you know that this is what you want to do? I just love the process of designing a collection, to see your sketches come to life, it excites me, it scares me, it makes me feel something that nothing else does. That’s how I know that this is what I am meant to do.

4. What is the best thing about being a designer? You get to create something and put it our into the world for people to desire and enjoy.

5. What is designing to you? Expression, Self-representation

6. How do you bring your inspiration into reality ? It’s a long process from start to finish, when you see the finished product on the runway, you don’t see the months behind it, the development, the challenges, the triumphs. Working on your collection can be an emotional and very personal experience, but in the end, when you see your designs finally realized, it’s the best feeling in the world.

7. How do you describe your creativity, style, and how is it different or not from yourself? My style is quiet but rich in detail; I love textures and dimensions and work done by hand.

8. What makes you unique from other designers? My aesthetic, the way I see colors and combinations, and the quality and finishing of my garments inside-out.

9. What is a timeless piece to you? I think anything can be timeless depending on your style. Especially nowadays, Styles from the past are always coming back into fashion, making what would have been a trendy piece back then, into a timeless piece now. Its all relative. To me, any garment that is made and finished well can be timeless.

10. Do you have any special goals with your clothes ? (inspire anyone, win from other designers, be famous) My goal is to grow enough to have my own atelier and my own team working with me to continuously make collections and keep up with the fashion world.

11. What do you do in your free time? I sketch, I research, I make mood boards constantly with inspiring images I find online.

12. Who is your muse? I don’t have a specific muse.

13. Who do you design for and why? My target market is aimed at but not limited to women 20 years and up. My clients appreciate quiet elegance, femininity and quality.

14. There is a trend right now using organic fabric, is this something that you see in your upcoming designs? I have not considered it so far, its something that could be interesting to explore in the future.

15. What do you think about production in China? Its not for me, I prefer the craftsmanship and handiwork done in India. My garments are handmade in small batches.

16. What do you think of next or current season? I am always thinking of the next season, fashion always works 1 season in advance.

17. What do you hope to have achieved in the industry, 10 years from now? A strong, developed, recognizable and unique brand image. I hope to branch out into accessories and jewelry in the future as well, to compliment my collections.

18. what inspire or motivates you to keep persevering in this cut throat industry? I love to design, and with a source of inspiration as rich and multi-faceted as India, It’s hard to not constantly be inspired and excited to design the next big thing.

19. What is the trend for 2017? I think we are moving more towards minimalism, relaxed luxury. I love this aesthetic.

20. What is your message for all young aspiring designers in the competitive business of fashion? Try and focus your vision and aesthetic from the very beginning. With that, you can then develop a strong and long lasting brand. People will come to you for your unique vision, and that’s how you can stand out in the industry.

For more info on Selina’s Collection :