“I had a fulltime job, but then I tasted freedom,” says Noaf giggling as she explained why she freelances. Being the Brand Director of Haifa Kaftans (listed as Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s number two of top eleven trends of 2011 including her biggest to date, number-001.com), and the PR person for Closet Candy are just two of her many titles with several other ventures and businesses. Creating a name for herself in the world of media brought about an enormous amount of attention while still in her mid-twenties, “I fully intend to continue riding the wave as far as I can,” she adds with a mischievous wink. As the Brand Director of Haifa Kaftans, her main objective is moving the brand forward, branding it with what it truly stands for. The well traveled woman, the globetrotter, the modern woman holding onto tradition is the true essence of Haifa Kaftans that Noaf is taking forward with the woman behind those beautiful designs. So do keep an eye out for her, because you’ll definitely be seeing her name around more often.
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Unrelenting .
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Captivating.
What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked?
People don’t seem to want to ask me insane things. Perhaps the glasses indicate they will get a vanilla answer? (Looks are deceiving.)
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Unfortunately (or depending on how you look at it) fortunately for me, my spontaneity gene went amiss. I’m painfully by the books. And the following story is exactly why I am that way. In my college days I was basically kidnapped and driven from Miami to Orlando in the middle of the night by a friend who shall not be named. (Her name begins with an “N” and ends with “ajla”.) We got to the Hard Rock Hotel at 1am, slept for 6 hours and did all of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day, drove West to Tampa just to have dinner at a place that turned out to be a Japanese version of The Godfather movie, then set out to drive home to Miami. Remember that we had barely slept the day before and spent literally all day running from one ride to another, elbowing kids out of the way. My darling kidnapper was too tired to drive and so handed the wheel over to me. I was 17, had never driven a car and had no driving license yet there I was, manning a golden mini cooper (that part had to be mentioned for irony) on a highway with 18 wheelers in the middle of the night, wait for it…falling asleep at the wheel. Yes, on a specific stretch of highway with not a light or soul in sight (aka idyllic serial killer landscape) I fell asleep and veered off the road into what could have been oblivion had it not been for the grooves in the emergency lane that violently shook me awake. Call me boring, but I’d rather live.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
”Madri”. That is the ultimate annoying-conversation-ender. You don’t know. No further arguments can be made. Brilliant.
Where would you like to live? / What is your dream retirement location?
Where the living is easy and it’s forever warm.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
”Just when I figured out the meaning of life, they changed it.”
What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in?
A phoenix.
What do you miss about your childhood?
The magic.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Something like Tamara. A name that exudes exotica but won’t be met with a puzzled look when I travel.
How would you describe your handshake in one word?
Telling.
What is the toughest part of your character?
Lack of political correctness.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
AThe broadest of broad questions. Could I say my mother? Too cheesy? Yeah that would be too cheesy. I got nothin’ then.
What in the world do you least desire?
Entitlement. People who feel entitled to things. I abhor that. Release the hounds!
What do you think is lacking in the world, which would make the world a better place?
Eternal springtime.
Why do you think most girls/guys like you?
Realness.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…”
A perfectly seared plate of beef tataki.
