A peak at Ta Marbota's latest Ramadan 2012 abaya collection. — Courtesy photos Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette“I want to make Ta Marbota the dream abaya for every woman," said Saudi designer Rawan Azhar. Azhar is a proud home-maker, a mother and a creative head of the enigmatic fashion label “Ta Marbota." “I am drawn to every thing that is beautiful and inspirational." The abaya designer spoke with Saudi Gazette and gave us a sneak peak into her upcoming Ramadan 2012 collection. The new collection will be available at Tashkeil's Bazaar on Ramadan 11 and 12. Starting from scratch, Azhar said, “I am a wife and a mother of the two most wonderful kids in the world. I graduated from King Abdul Aziz University with a degree in management information systems." The concept of an abaya and credibility of the garment has changed dramatically over the past ten years. What used to be a boring black robe is now revolutionary, if not remarkable. Commenting on its altering state, Azhar said, “The abaya has changed a lot in the last ten years, it has become more colorful and fashionable than ever." Azhar said fabrics and colors are the fuel of inspiration, but she also finds solace in designers like Valentino, Chanel and Dior. While discussing the ease of trading for women in the fashion retail market in Saudi Arabia, she replied it was no easy ride. “It wasn't easy at all to make my brand because I had to create an identity and a name that people will recognize. That took a lot of hard work from my side. But it's very open for women to start their own business." Considering couture is essential to an everyday abaya, Azhar revealed that it is more so relevant in Saudi Arabia. “Especially in our country we wear an abaya for all different occasions, so we need different styles and designs to meet our needs." When asked why the brand name, Azhar explained that Ta Marbota brings supreme femininity to what ever is added to it. “Accordingly, Ta Marbota designs are a resemblance of this concept and are filled with an elegant touch to give each woman its sense of individuality. After long thought I couldn't find a word that reflects my concept except Ta Marbota." Azhar aims to launch a boutique in Jeddah to reach a wider audience and spread her fashion beyond borders of the Gulf. “I want to make a label that is very well-known and as strong as the international fashion brands that specializes in making abayas." Azhar deems the purpose of an abaya is to cover a woman's body and believes that is its main criteria. “High quality fabrics, feminine accessories, harmony of colors and the most important thing the abaya must do is cover a woman's body." When asked about her tailoring techniques, she said, “Clean finishing, high quality fabrics with beautiful designs and colors are the secret for the perfect abaya." Talking about her new collection “The Whimsical Butterfly Collection," Azhar described its chosen palette infusion: “Aqua, silver, pink, beige and grey are the colors. Also, I have used polka dotes, stripes and sequins as my favorite fabric designs for this collection and it will show how passionate I am about these amazing fabrics." The designer thinks the biggest fashion crime some Saudi women make is that they blindly follow new trends. She believes her passion drives her to achieve her dreams. “My secret is working hard to achieve my ambitions. I want to work with famous international designers who have a great passion for fashion and have a lot to learn from them." You can get your Ta Marbota for this season at Tashkeil or find her designs at bazaars through out the year. You can also order your designs or log on to Dia, the online boutique for the best of Ta Marbota at http://www.dia-boutique.com/ or follow her on Twitter @ ta_marbota.
