Amna Al Ameer
Head of Statistics and Reports at the Court of the Crown Prince
Amna Al-Amer is a mother of two beautiful daughters and a full-time employee at the Court of the Crown Prince office. Currently, she is working at the Royal Fund for Fallen Servicemen as the head of finance and services. She has a Bachelor’s in Business Information Systems from the University of Bahrain and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA). Amna completed her Executive Master’s Programme at Cambridge in the UK. She continuously aspires to develop herself, gain knowledge, as well as teach as a volunteer at Injaz Bahrain. She is also an active athlete, currently participating in Triathlons, and has completed two 70.3 Iron-man competitions.
What is fashion according to you?
Fashion is a statement of who you are, it’s how you dress to present yourself to the world.
How important is it to be fashion-forward in the corporate world?
Dressing in a fashion-forward manner could make those you work with have a positive opinion about you. Although we don’t like to judge people, it could be an effective weapon to get your point across to others. If you dress fashionably you will give an impression that you are on top of your game, and that you know what it means to be updated!
How can women dress differently in the boardroom from daily life?
It all depends on the occasion of the meeting, but I feel if you wear a business suit it would look the most formal, if you wear a blazer it is less formal, and throwing on a jacket could be considered as the least formal.
How has the fashion scene in the Middle East evolved and how can fashion traditions be kept alive in the way women dress today?
We have come a long way, specially in the modest fashion aspect. This concept is recognised beyond the Middle East and across Europe and the United States. Nowadays, online stores all around the world have a modest section of clothing for women to choose from. Today, there are various applications available that engage consumers and enable them to send feedback about what they really want. These apps are a huge indicator for the industry to measure the growing demand for modest fashion.
Contrary to popular belief, modest fashion is not just for Muslims; many ladies from other religious outlooks are looking for modest fashion. I feel that the trend is spreading, and it reflects how a woman respects and presents herself.
How can a modest dresser stand out for her fashion sense?
Well, every woman has her own style and a way to dress that’s comfortable to her. I feel that adding layers, accessories or elements to the outfits can really draw attention to one’s style.
What can be done for Bahrain to have its own indigenous fashion industry?
Bahrain’s fashion industry is taking forward steps in creating its own local brands and styles. My very own friend established her line last year and it’s a huge success. I am very proud of our home-grown brands that are getting economic support and guidance from Tamkeen to level up their fashion game.
Duaa Zainal
Certified stylist from London College of Fashion
Duaa is a Bahraini fashion stylist and blogger, holding a BA in Fashion Styling and Photography. She has studied and lived in Hong Kong, where she found most of her inspiration. She is considered one of the most popular bloggers in the Kingdom, having been present online since 2011. Her fresh ideas and outlook have rightfully earned her an average of 40,000 readers on her blog and up to 7,000 followers on social media. She focuses on personal and editorial styling and has worked alongside many of the Kingdom’s renowned designers, such as Eman Heider for Lalla Eman and Shaikha Farah Al Khalifa for ByFara7.
What is fashion according to you?
Fashion to me is not about wearing high-end brands and following the latest trends. It’s about expressing my personality and emotions through the colours and prints of my outfits.
How important is it to be fashion-forward in the corporate world?
It’s important for a woman to dress well and look presentable in the corporate world. However, being fashion-forward depends on the field you work in. For example, a woman that works in an industrial field will not go to work wearing the latest Manolos, but a woman that works in the fashion industry definitely would.
How can women dress differently in the boardroom from daily life?
Choosing the right colours and prints is essential when dressing professionally. Concentrating on settled or dark colours, with fewer prints, as well as being conservative in your style, gives a serious and professional impression, as opposed to dressing up in loud, bright colours with big prints, which gives a more playful impression.
How has the fashion scene in the Middle East evolved and how can fashion traditions be kept alive in the way women dress today?
The simplest example on the advancement of fashion in the Middle East is the evolution of the abaya which is the main traditional factor for Arab women, especially in the GCC. Over the past five years this garment has rapidly changed in terms of shapes, cuts, colours and prints, giving the Khaleeji woman the freedom of expressing her style while still maintaining its conservative purpose. Women today dress in the most beautiful and glamorous abayas that are designed for all occasions and come in all various designs and shades rather than a plain black abaya.
How can a modest dresser stand out for her fashion sense?
The modest dresser today has a variety of options which were not available 10 or 15 years ago. Referring to my previous point with the evolution of the abaya, there are many recent trends that can accommodate modest women and help them stand out and be as fashionable as any other woman, such as the loose harem pants, long dress shirts, kimonos and more.
What can be done for Bahrain to have its own indigenous fashion industry?
I would love to see Bahraini women be more creative and express their own ideas and personality in fashion rather than follow the latest trends. There is very high potential for Bahraini women to excel in the fashion industry and I believe that creativity as well as full support and encouragement can help Bahrainis to have their own indigenous fashion industry.
