The ethics of sustainable fashion also features high.
Yara Bin Shakar is pushing personal boundaries and the results speak for themselves.
Abu Dhabi had the most amazing fashion exhibitions. There were new designers, brands to discover; the footfall was crazy,” says Emirati designer, Yara Bin Shakar, adding how before the pandemic she would attend such exhibitions in the capital twice a year.
In the latter half of 2021, the graduate of Sharjah University where she studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Textiles found herself on this side of the border again.
It was a prospect that made her nervous.
The occasion was the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but it was not the thought of race cars revving around the track that worried her.
Moreover, she’d been asked to design the 2021 Formula 1 uniform ahead of the final race of the season “It was out of my comfort zone,” Yara admits.
Despite that at the time Yara was in the middle of designing her own spring and summer 2021 collection, she faced her fears wholeheartedly.
“I’ve always wanted to create something sporty in new cuts and fabrics as well as collaborate with someone else, so I pushed myself, “she says.
Pushing boundaries is a concept that Yara believes can elevate a designer from being a good one to becoming one that is considered great.
“You need to go beyond what you’re known for [as a designer] and push yourself,” Yara advises. “Watch documentaries, read more, take on new projects even if they are challenging and try to see what you really can accomplish. You also need to accept feedback, as hard as that can be.”
Working until the early hours, Yara stayed true to her advice and pushed her own self-imposed boundaries to successfully create the Etihad 2021 Formula 1 uniform.
“The fabric we used had to be comfortable as the hosts were wearing the uniform for many hours,” says Yara, who adds that the sporty black jumpsuits were inspired by traditions and tracks.
The jumpsuit featured an asymmetrical wraparound (Yara’s signature style) belt, a detail shaped and designed to represent the Formula 1 track at Yas Marina Circuit, with stitching on the belt that represents a take on traditional Emirati embroidery.
Yara, who fell in love with the designs of Diane von Fürstenberg, a Belgian fashion designer best known in the ‘70s for her wrap dress.
“I looked up to her; every season I would check her iconic designs,’ says Yara whose own designs are inspired by this fashion great. “I wanted to create something different, modest but not necessarily abayas. My designs are practical, versatile in that they are reversable and you can achieve more than one look.”
Her latest collection is inspired by independence and freedom to counteract the restrictions wrought by the pandemic.
“I decided to drift away from the modest concept and incorporate flowing and revealing looks with open backs. I’ve redesigned the wraps to become airy, light. with signature opal prints from Korean silk which also represents freedom too.”
The ethics of sustainable fashion also features high for Yara. Her old collections which are no longer selling are repurposed into multiuse tote bags.
“I’ve also created the Gemini makeup bag, which is upcycled from old collections to minimise fabric wastage of fabric scrap.”
Like Yara’s pieces, the bag can also be reversed to become an organiser in which to place the contents for ease of use.
Today, Yara, along with a business partner, has gone on to open House 45, a concept store in Dubai. Looking to the future, she says that she would love to explore designing sportswear, menswear.
“Fashion is not just about clothes. It’s also incorporated into interiors and so on. I want to move into sportswear, menswear.”
But it’s not just clothes that she wants to design. “I don’t want to restrict myself,” she says. “Fashion is found everywhere, in products and interior design products too.”
Find out more by visiting yarabinshakar.storefreedom
