Hussam Haddadin creates fashion pieces with an elegant touch

AMMAN — Jordanian fashion designer Hussam Haddadin was drawn to fashion at an early age. When he was 14, as his older sister was looking for a wedding dress in dress catalogues, he had glimpse at them and then drew each dress in them. اضافة اعلان


Athena collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)

“When I first opened the catalogues, something inside moved,” Haddadin said in an interview with Jordan News. 

After finishing high school, Haddadin wanted to study fashion design, but his family rejected the idea as, 15 years ago, there was little awareness about fashion design in Jordan, and he had graduated with a good average. He studied marketing at the University of Jordan, but his passion for fashion design still burned. After graduation, he studied pattern making and fashion designing at Burgo Fashion Institute that collaborated with Garment Design and Training Service Center (GSC) in Jordan. 


Metallic collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)

In 2016, with little experience in the field, he launched his first collection, named after his mother, Dalal. At the end of 2016, Haddadin travelled to Beirut and was trained by Shady Zeineldine. In 2017, he opened his boutique in Sweifieh and last year he relocated on the Airport Road.

Haddadin believes that the most interesting thing about fashion design is coming up with ideas and then implementing them to achieve the desired outcome. He gets inspirations from everything around him. From stars, flowers and living creatures.


Athena collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)

All his designs, he said, must embrace elegance, which is his trademark. They aim to highlight the beauty of women and their different body shapes, he said.

“Making a collection differs from making a custom-made dress. In the case of the latter, I have to consider the client’s body shape and what fits her the most. I believe that there is no woman whose body is not beautiful, she only has to know what suits her and her body shape better,” Haddadin said.


Bridal collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)

While designing a custom-made dress, he said, he needs to get to know the client and her personality to create a piece that suits her. He also advises his clients on what colors and styles suit them best.

Brid collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)


Glittery collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)

Haddadin has seven collections under his belt. In 2017, he launched the JoBeirut collection, inspired by his stay in Beirut and the beauty of its nature, with a Jordanian touch. His “Metallic collection” was launched in 2018; it was inspired by the stones of the Ma’in houses. The 2019 “Glittery collection” was inspired by the stars, he said.

“I had one bridal dress in each collection, but I realized that this is not enough to make brides trust me. Therefore, I decided to launch my first bridal collection in 2020,” he said. It was a huge challenge, he said, as “bridal dresses are different from other dresses”.


Speranza collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)

The “Speranza collection” was launched in 2020-2021. The idea of the collection came to him during the COVID-19 lockdowns and it is intended to spread hope in these difficult times. In 2021, he launched the “Athena collection”, which was inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and war. The many stories about abuse and injustice against women and girls in the Arab world made him wish to encourage them to face challenges with wisdom and bravery, he said.



JoBeirut collection handout from Hussam Haddadin. (Photos: handouts from Hussam Haddadin)

He is looking to launch his eighth collection and second bridal collection in 2022. “It contains five dresses that have the same vibe but each one of them is unique”, he said.

Haddadin participated in Jordan Fashion Week in 2019with his “Glittery collection”. He described it to be a great experience during which he got to know other fashion designers in Jordan. 

Recently, the designer collaborated with Syrian actress Sawsan Mikhaeel, who had expressed admiration for one of his pieces. He created a brand-new dress that suits her, but which was inspired by the piece she liked.

One of the challenges Haddadin faces is finding skilled tailors to produce a professional-looking collection. Now he has his workshop and works with professional tailors.

Other challenges are getting to know people and gaining their trust, and the high cost of being in the fashion design industry, including the marketing cost. Haddadin claims to have overcome the former, but his goal is to be known around the Arab region and, eventually, internationally.


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