There’s something so empowering about donning a well-made suit. A woman’s suit not only marks a sartorial liberation, it is a declaration of style and more importantly, an everyday essential. For Osé founder and graphic designer Reham Al Enezi, finding the right suit meant that she had to dare to dream to make that happen.

Translated from the French word for ‘dare’, Osé arrives as a product of Reham’s personal pursuit toward something bigger. Today, she’s a graphic designer by day, and fashion designer by night. She began to tell us her story, “While I love working in graphic design, as I specialize in content creation and branding, I was at a point in my life where I needed to focus on my happiness. I had successfully started a family, but I fell into the routine of life, and I was seeking something that would excite me.”

This acknowledgement alone pushed Reham to courageously delve deeper into what she wanted to do, and with the onset of the pandemic and having more time to think about her aspirations, she asked herself about what made her happy before she grew up, became an adult, launched a successful career and started a family.

“Fashion. The answer was always fashion. It was always there, and I was so scared to start something, simply because I didn’t have a background in the field and I never studied it.”

Reham’s passion for fashion runs deep, as her mother owned a prominent fashion store called ‘Mood’ in Kuwait in the 90s. “I grew up between beautiful pieces of clothing and I remember the suits! I remember traveling to Italy for fashion shows and buying trips with my mom. I always loved sketching designs for outfits I wanted to wear. I wanted to be a fashion designer!” She laughingly said.

Although she embarked on a career in graphic design after completing her studies and living in Lebanon for a while, fashion remained at the back of her mind. The epiphany to design suits came to her in the dead of night. After having put her toddler to bed, she went about her normal routine.

“It was 2 am. I was in bed, but I simply couldn’t sleep,” she recounted, “I freaked my husband out, shook him awake. I declared to him that I wanted to become a fashion designer, and I wanted to design suits! He sleepily told me ‘that’s great. Can we talk about this in the morning?’”

Reham found her calling, and now had to make it happen, but this bazaar writer couldn’t help but wonder why she had chosen suits in particular. “My husband and I were always in suits. I love suits, and having grown up in my mom’s shop, I was surrounded by a lot of suits!

Most of the clothes that she procured from Italy happened to be suits, and I have a bunch of them still from the 90s and they’re still in great condition because the quality is amazing.” Reham also noted that there’s a lack of something different in the local market, she was seeking that elusive ‘oomph’ when it came to the perfect suit, and most importantly, comfort.

Reham describes Osé as tailored for the bold and daring woman, and while the expression is often used in Lebanon as a compliment to a unique look, she lives by this saying when it comes to her fashion ethos. “With Osé, I didn’t want a normal blazer with matching pants,” she added, “I was seeking style and comfort at the same time. Osé suits are purposefully loose and oversized, they fit the needs of women from different walks of life, and I wanted the suits to be inclusive of different body shapes.” With this signature look now established, every piece in the Osé collection effortlessly works together.

The sizing is inclusive, and perfect for our warmer climates. Reham also wanted bold and daring colors, like mustard, olive green, and sharp navy. Osé suits are meant to break away from the norm, you can match your suit with your favorite sneakers or stilettos, and confidently walk into a board meeting or a gathering with friends. Trust us, you’ll be making waves at your many post-corona dinner parties (yes, we’re hopeful!), as all of Osé’s pieces are interchangeable and can be worn with your favorite wardrobe staples or matched together. The styling options are endless.

Reham credits the start of her journey with Osé to her dear friend and local designer Dina Wael, founding partner of Original G. “I didn’t have a background in sewing or pattern cutting, so when I thought of the idea, I wrote everything down and asked myself where do I start? How do I find tailors? How do I find fabrics? When I coincidentally met Dina, I asked her for help, and she really got me started. I am so grateful for her.”

Dina connected Reham with tailors, showed her how linings work, and provided a helping hand when she needed it most. This is the beauty of having a community that helps and empowers your dream.

Reham’s meticulous eye for fine design kicked in. The lining Osé employs, for instance, is Valentino lining, patented and used by the household name, and renowned in the market for being the best material to be used in suit lining. Using the finest fabrics in the market, Reham proceeded feeling reassured that she would be offering her customers quality clothing. She thought of every detail, from the buttons she wanted on her suits, to the longevity of the garments. The trousers and shorts even have a smart elastic band at the back, ensuring that your Osé piece will stay with you as your body changes. After many initial proto-types, and getting her sizes down, she was ready to go. The dream for Osé started last September, and the brand was launched this February.

In looking to the future, Reham is hoping to see Osé grow in Kuwait and the region. When asked if she would take her eye for design to other garments, she smiled and replied, “I wouldn’t mind trying jumpsuits! I want to design the things that I love, after all.” And since Osé is all about being bold and daring, we also asked Reham about what would be her dream designer collaboration, to which she wistfully replied, “It would have to be Balmain. I love bold, aggressive designs.”

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE

What do you most value about your friends?

Being themselves.

Which living person do you most admire?

My mom.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Living on a beach with my husband and daughter.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My car.

What is your most treasured possession?

My mother in law’s wedding ring.

What is your greatest fear?

Cockroaches, even saying it freaks me out.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Saying it as it is.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Playing the violin.

What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for?

I’m bold and daring.

What is the human trait you most dislike about others?

Lack of intellect.

What is it that you most dislike?

Not finding a parking spot when I get to work.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Faia – My daughter’s name.

What are your favorite words to live by?

To each their own.

Where would you most like to live?

Netherlands, I know its contradicting to the beach but I’m a Gemini, I can’t help it.

If you could have any job, what would it be?

Professional Violinist.

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

Launching my brand, Osé.

What do you hope for the future?

Osé going international and adding a line for men.

For more information, check out @ose.kw on Instagram and shop the collection at oseshop.co.