By Alanoud Badr
Are we fashion followers, or creators? Has it become an intrinsic result of social norms to follow any given trend dictated by glossy magazines and glamorous editorials? What makes any individual unique? How are we inspired to dress in a specific way? bazaar explores the philosophy of ‘fashion’ by interviewing the style innovators of our generation, with a special focus on their picks for the season.
Step aside, Lady Gaga. For as much as the fashion world idolizes your unique style, we choose to stick with one of our own. Call us biased towards Arab fashionistas, if you may, yet the fashion and style symbol that is Lady Fozaza, is skyrocketing towards iconic status.
Founded by Alanoud Badr, a.k.a. Lady Fozaza, a nickname she’s better known for amongst fashion circles, her fabulously fierce line of limited edition statement blazers are garnering rave reviews from the fashion-crazed, and is now being sold at Dubai’s glamorous Bloomingdales. Why did Lady Fozaza choose the blazer to launch her design debut? She believes that this item is timeless and flexible, and a wardrobe staple that everyone seems to take for granted.
Not only is Alanoud a creative fashion force of nature, she is an accomplished fashion consultant and buyer, and her blog, fashiongossip10, receives high traffic and satisfies even the most insatiable fashion cravings. With a cocktail pedigree of being half Saudi, half Lebanese-American, Alanoud brings embellished elegance, confidence and bold beauty to her creations.
Does fashion ‘make’ the person or does the person ‘make’ fashion?
I believe the person makes the fashion, or at least ‘should’! ‘Wear the dress don’t let the dress wear you’ is something I always go by. To give the clothes you wear a voice is to wear them with respect to who you are and your true style.
How would you describe your style?
Rock n’ Runway.
How do you get inspiration for your style?
My inspiration comes from within. However, I’m a huge fan of anything that moves all senses when worn and seen. For example, Balmain, Alexander McQueen and Michael Jackson have reinvented fashion to make it not only timeless, but priceless!
What does it take to become a style innovator?
To stay true to your personal style and to create a signature look that will follow you through all your collections, making your fashion followers not only devoted, but also loyal.
What’s exciting right now in fashion?
The many risks big fashion houses are making these days and the many ways they are getting our attention back.
Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
My mother is, by far, my greatest fashion influence. She was, and still is, a great trendsetter of her time and one who has taught me that fashion is never bought but rather created. Also, the fabulous street style of people you see on the streets of London and NY. It’s the RAW fashion I look for when it comes to influence.
Who are your favorite designers, and what is it that you love about them?
I’m fascinated with Mary Kantranzou and the great job Olivier Rousteing is doing for BALMAIN, because I thought one of my favorite brands would go up in flames and the opposite is happening with Olivier. When it comes to local emerging designers I LOVE KAGE, which can be found in Boutique1.
What is the highlight of your ‘style’ career?
When seeing Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian wear one of my blazers on several occasions, it was, and still is, a pleasant surprise and one that I’m proud of.
Every fashionality has as a style obsession, what’s yours?
SHOES!!!
Do you follow any fashion blogs? If so, what are they and which would you recommend?
I have a list of ones I’m addicted to. These include:
Pintsized fashionista, Mahryska.com, Anybodysomebodynobody.com,Theshadesandscarf.com, Thefiercediaries.com.
To be stylish is to be fashionable. True or False and why?
FALSE! To be stylish is to be unique and true to your fashion!
Lady Fozaza’s signature blazers are sold at the Walkin Closet boutique in Kuwait. For more information, please visit Facebook: LadyFozaza .
