Breaking into the fashion scene with her first line of witty totes covered with drawings of Chanel, Hermes, and other high-end designer bags, Fyunka is a brand that celebrates fun coupled with personal charm. Created by Jeddah-based designer Alaa Balkhy, the fashion accessories line is influenced by pop culture inspired by Middle Eastern insights. Whether using symbols in our culture such as the must-have designer bag or phone, or anything for that matter, Alaa delivers a homegrown brand that’s captured the hearts and minds of young women across the GCC. Prepare to fall in love with quirky chic, where, for a change, it’s okay to wear a bag that’s actually a piece of printed canvas. That, above all, is one of the main reasons why we instantly fell in love with Fyunka.

Defined as a ‘ribbon bow’ in Arabic, Fyunka emulates feminine fun, and in her latest collection Alaa continues to design with a modern approach to cultural references in the Middle East. By pushing boundaries in a light-hearted fashion, she successfully merges tradition with current trends embraced by fashionistas across the region like floral accents and stripes. In her latest collections, we see PVC cross-body bags that are both functional and light in pastel colors and stripes that make for easy breezy wardrobe options that work for the every-day woman. Alongside these bags, we see the designer speaking to every woman’s reliance on technology through her new phone cover collection inspired by quirky Saudi quotes. Consider this a modern approach to the burqa and niqab, as style speaks beyond what we wear, and how we essentially carry ourselves. Instead of a dull, functional phone cover, most women prefer a bright and eye-catching case. With a graphic design background, Alaa Balkhy illustrates the designs herself. Whether you carry the latest iPhone or Samsung, these covers arrive in an exclusive format that makes them highly coveted.

Designer Interview

bazaar: Does fashion ‘make’ the person or does the person ‘make’ fashion?

Alaa Balkhy: The person makes the fashion definitely. It’s about how you put the pieces together to create your own style.

bazaar: How would you describe your style?

Alaa Balkhy: My style is very safe with cuts and patterns and a bit fun with accessories and colors.

bazaar: How do you get inspiration for your style?

Alaa Balkhy: Inspiration comes from everywhere from food to traveling but a huge part of it is traveling and moving between cities.

bazaar: What does it take to become a style innovator?

Alaa Balkhy: It takes courage and an open mind to become a style innovator.

bazaar: What’s exciting right now in fashion?

Alaa Balkhy: The most exciting thing is that fashion is constantly evolving!

bazaar: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?

Alaa Balkhy: Miraduma Slova from Buro47

bazaar: Who are your favorite emerging designers, and what is it that you love about them?

Alaa Balkhy: Charlotte Olympia, I love the fun element in her designs and how it’s playful.

bazaar: What is the highlight of your ‘style’ career so far?

Alaa Balkhy: Being featured in bazaar Magazine 😉

bazaar: Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve designed? If so, why is that piece so special to you?

Alaa Balkhy: The new bags from my latest collection—from designing totes to an actual bag is a huge deal and I’m proud that I was able to accomplish that.

bazaar: Every fashionality has as a style obsession, what’s yours?

Alaa Balkhy: I’m obsessed with statement necklaces.

bazaar: Do you follow any fashion blogs? If so, what are they and which would you recommend?

Alaa Balkhy: I follow fashion bloggers on Instagram and my favorite is Winnie Detwa at the moment.

bazaar: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that people wore more often?

Alaa Balkhy: People should wear more hats!

bazaar: To be stylish is to be fashionable. True or False and why?

Alaa Balkhy: I think style is timeless and fashion has its seasons.

bazaar: What’s next for Fyunka?

Alaa Balkhy: Hopefully more bags! We’re going into home accessories so pillows and teacups. We might also go into apparel very soon! Wish us luck!

Find Fyunka on FaceCbook, Twitter and Instagram @Fyunka.