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For Dima Alhussan, traditional wear transcends age
By Huda Dabeet, Jordan News
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AMMAN — Jordanian fashion designer Dima Alhussan likes to create oriental designs, or products inspired by Arab culture, with a modern twist. اضافة اعلان
Her passion for fashion design blossomed at the age of 15, when she was flicking through Burda Style magazine, a German fashion magazine, founded in 1950, that published linework, drawings, fashion patterns, and a brochure design guide.
Dima Alhussan creates fashion pieces inspired oriental designs and Arab culture. (Photos: Handout from Dima Alhussan)
Alhussan told Jordan News in a recent interview that she used to wait for Burda Style to come out every month to practice the patterns and recreate designs.
She intended to study fashion design after completing her undergraduate studies in finance and banking, but there was no educational institution in Jordan that offered fashion design courses or diplomas at the time.
Ultimately, in 2006, the designer pursued a diploma in fashion design from the Fakhouri Academy for Studies, Design, and Makeup Cultural Center in Amman.
Dima Alhussan creates fashion pieces inspired oriental designs and Arab culture. (Photos: Handout from Dima Alhussan)
“My experience (there entailed) two years of academic study and two years of practical training,” she said, adding that after completing the four years, she opened a fashion business.
These days, Alhussan works with tailors and workshops to create her designs.
“I want to (create) a full piece,” she said. “Everything is handmade, and each piece is worked separately.”
All the designer’s works are made in Jordan, and she enjoys choosing the materials by herself. While most of the materials are sourced locally, she also imports materials countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
“Some materials in the Gulf have an oriental look and style and stitching a simple embroidery on them gives it an Arab identity,” Alhussan said.
Dima Alhussan creates fashion pieces inspired oriental designs and Arab culture. (Photos: Handout from Dima Alhussan)
She added that Amman has a wide range of materials and fabrics, from traditional to modern, and selecting fabrics requires regular market visits.
There is a widely held belief that only older women get to enjoy traditional designs, but Alhussan likes to debunk that misconception through her works, which include a wide array of modernized abayas and scarves, among other items.
According to the designer, she likes to keep her pieces colorful, stylish, and striking.
She said that her products can be styled both formally and casually and worn on various occasions.
Alhussan said that, typically, during her production process, she begins by sketching the design concept before selecting fabrics. However, sometimes, she likes to begin by choosing the materials and fabrics before starts sketching, adding that each fashion designer tends to stick to their own style and touch.
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Her passion for fashion design blossomed at the age of 15, when she was flicking through Burda Style magazine, a German fashion magazine, founded in 1950, that published linework, drawings, fashion patterns, and a brochure design guide.
Dima Alhussan creates fashion pieces inspired oriental designs and Arab culture. (Photos: Handout from Dima Alhussan)
Alhussan told Jordan News in a recent interview that she used to wait for Burda Style to come out every month to practice the patterns and recreate designs.
She intended to study fashion design after completing her undergraduate studies in finance and banking, but there was no educational institution in Jordan that offered fashion design courses or diplomas at the time.
Ultimately, in 2006, the designer pursued a diploma in fashion design from the Fakhouri Academy for Studies, Design, and Makeup Cultural Center in Amman.
Dima Alhussan creates fashion pieces inspired oriental designs and Arab culture. (Photos: Handout from Dima Alhussan)
“My experience (there entailed) two years of academic study and two years of practical training,” she said, adding that after completing the four years, she opened a fashion business.
These days, Alhussan works with tailors and workshops to create her designs.
“I want to (create) a full piece,” she said. “Everything is handmade, and each piece is worked separately.”
All the designer’s works are made in Jordan, and she enjoys choosing the materials by herself. While most of the materials are sourced locally, she also imports materials countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
“Some materials in the Gulf have an oriental look and style and stitching a simple embroidery on them gives it an Arab identity,” Alhussan said.
Dima Alhussan creates fashion pieces inspired oriental designs and Arab culture. (Photos: Handout from Dima Alhussan)
She added that Amman has a wide range of materials and fabrics, from traditional to modern, and selecting fabrics requires regular market visits.
There is a widely held belief that only older women get to enjoy traditional designs, but Alhussan likes to debunk that misconception through her works, which include a wide array of modernized abayas and scarves, among other items.
According to the designer, she likes to keep her pieces colorful, stylish, and striking.
She said that her products can be styled both formally and casually and worn on various occasions.
Alhussan said that, typically, during her production process, she begins by sketching the design concept before selecting fabrics. However, sometimes, she likes to begin by choosing the materials and fabrics before starts sketching, adding that each fashion designer tends to stick to their own style and touch.
Read more Fashion
