RIYADH: Saudi fashion and lifestyle content creator Manal Marvelous discovered her love of design and sewing while at university and soon began sharing her work on social media.  

“My passion for fashion was a coincidence; actually, I had to take one semester of fashion classes in college because of some weird situation I got myself into and I was supposed to transfer after the semester ended, but I fell in love and never looked back,“ Marvelous told Arab News.

“I love out-of-the box and creative ideas I can share with my audience, which consist of girls around my age with similar interests who either love fashion or got inspired to start their journey after watching my content,” she said.

She loves to share how she develops and sews her creations, and her TikTok has 3 million views and 700,000 followers.  

“It felt like magic to me how can you transform a piece of fabric into art just by cutting here and stitching there,” she said.

Marvelous took part in the Sony Creators Convention, where she showcased her work on models, and offered advice to aspiring content creators about the business, how to succeed, and how to make their passions their careers.

“My work as a fashion and lifestyle creator takes me around the Kingdom to collaborate with global and local brands ranging from clothing to skincare to makeup,” she said.  

Aside from TikTok, Marvelous supports up-and-coming fashion designers on her YouTube channel, paving a path for them to enter the industry.  

“In my YouTube channel, I share my love of sewing, but with a twist. From sewing pants out of bandannas and a corset with plastic, to recycling my old jeans into a denim jacket,” she said.

Marvelous had the backing of friends and family from the start, and they were her supporters.

She did, however, mention how some elements of social media, like cyberbullying, were deterring her from sharing and how she overcame it.

“Bullying on social media has become the norm lately. What I do and what I recommend everyone do is ignore the comment, especially when it’s obvious that the person is just trying to hurt you.”

She said that constructive criticism is always appreciated, and that she tries to hear what people have to say to improve her material, gain insight into her audience, and receive feedback.

“But people who just want to put you down and make you feel bad should be muted,” she added.

Marvelous believes that with an abundance of talented and creative Saudi designers, as well as the diversity of Saudi fashion and traditional costume, the KSA scene needs more useful fashion events.

“Saudi Arabia has some of the most talented and creative designers in the field, and their work should be appreciated and celebrated nationally and internationally. Having more shows in the Kingdom could be beneficial not only to the designers but to the country as well.”

Marvelous said that the Fashion Commission has been a significant asset to the sector for many years, planning events and providing support for emerging designers through programs such as 100 Brands.

“I advise upcoming designers to never stop dreaming big; this is our time to shine and create the unexpected. There’s space for everyone.”

Marvelous offers three tips for aspiring fashion content creators seeking to be authentic: “Don’t try to copy other creators; it’s good to follow trends, but only when it suits your content and your personality. Consistency is key. Pick the schedule that suits you and make sure to stick to it.”

DUBAI: French-Algerian designer Faiza Bouguessa, founder of the celebrity-loved fashion label The Bouguessa, has dropped her Spring/Summer 2024 collection.  

The designs celebrate contemporary fashion, merging minimalist aesthetics with striking colors. 

“This collection embodies simplicity and vibrancy in perfect harmony,” the designer told Arab News. “The focus on quality craftsmanship and sophistication ensures a timeless aesthetic and modern feminine elegance.” 

The color palette features camels, nutshells, pinks and sky blue. With a versatile range of indoor and outdoor pieces, the collection offers looks that can be worn separately or combined. 

The designer explained that her design philosophy revolves around creating classic, timeless pieces that can be worn during the day and at night and work for a variety of occasions. 

The development process of her collections is shaped by a variety of inspirations, she said.  

“Sometimes it’s the fabric I start with, other times it’s an era or an artistic discipline,” Bouguessa said. “However, regardless of the initial influence, most of my designs naturally blend with each other and can easily be converted from daytime or work outfits to evening looks with (a few) accessories.”  

While aesthetics are, obviously, important, the designer emphasized that her and her team’s main concerns when developing any collection are “comfort and wearability.” 

“I like to think that my designs make women feel confident and strong while being able to be worn during days on the go,” she said. “I also design for myself, and there is not a style (in my collection) that I would not wear. 

“We also aimed to infuse the lineup with powerful and visually striking styles,” she added.  “Take, for instance, the Rafael prints, which exemplify this balance, as well as the thoughtfully distributed color palette throughout the collection. I tried to reimagine some of our signature pieces and classic silhouettes, injecting them with a fresh sense of modernity through cuts and color choices.” 

Bouguessa also discussed her dual upbringing, saying that she embraces positive aspects from both France and Algeria. 

France, she said, has influenced her cultural and technical understanding of fashion. “(The) fashion weeks are always closely covered by the media, and various documentaries about designers and fashion houses are aired during that time on television,” she added.  

Meanwhile, Algeria provides her with a deep connection to her heritage. “It is my roots, the warmth of my family,” she said. “And many Algerians will tell you about our extremely strong connection with the land.  

“My Algerian background translates differently from my French background,” she continued. “It is a little more subtle — through details or choices of fabric. The French touch is more obvious through the cuts and silhouettes. However, none of it is intentional, I believe these elements will always appear effortlessly in our work, as they are part of our identity.” 

Bouguessa’s brand has garnered support from several celebrities, with the first being Beyonce, who commissioned an abaya from the label in 2015. “It was quite a moment,” the designer recalled. In 2017, the singer wore an emerald velvet Bouguessa gown to a charity fundraiser. The dress quickly sold out.  

The label has since been endorsed by numerous A-listers, including Eva Longoria, Kourtney Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, Jessica Alba, Melissa McCarthy, and Kelly Rutherford, as well as esteemed royals such as Jordan’s Queen Rania and Saudi Arabia’s Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz. 

Bouguessa emphasized her desire to be “remembered as someone who contributed to empowering women through clothing that goes beyond trends. I hope to be remembered for the positive influence and inclusivity I brought to the industry.”