A Dubai Designer On Craft, Connection & Creative Legacy
Fashion has always been a feeling for me. My love for it started early, inspired by my mum and sister, the way dressing up made me feel and how friends would always come to me for styling advice. I didn’t formally study fashion at first, but I launched a graduation collection anyway. When someone actually bought one of the designs, I knew I wanted more of that feeling.
When I moved to Dubai, I thought my dream might be over. The market felt too competitive, but I didn’t give up. I started working from home, literally draping fabrics on my dining table. I still have the marks to prove it. It was consistency that built this brand. I will always be proud of how far we’ve come, from that dining table to dressing women all over the world.
I carry Egypt with me wherever I go. It’s where I come from, and it gives me so much emotion and richness in expression. Dubai, on the other hand, pushes me to move, to be sharp and to constantly look ahead. Egypt gives me my depth. Dubai gives me my pace.
From the beginning, I was drawn to fabric manipulation. The way nature twists, folds and moves fascinated me. At first, it was instinctive, but over time, it became more emotional and personal. I design based on what I feel. I’ve learned to embrace imperfections and raw textures as part of the story. For me, it’s about capturing something timeless that’s also full of emotion.
That’s what I want women to feel when they wear my pieces – connection. A bond with the dress, with themselves and with the emotion behind the design. I want them to feel confident, beautiful, and truly seen. The Marmar Halim woman isn’t one type. She could be a mother, a daughter, a bride or a businesswoman. But she always has this energy. She’s thoughtful, emotional and strong. She’s someone I grow with, season after season.
My process always begins with a feeling. Usually, a memory, an emotion or even a bond, like that between a mother and daughter. Then I turn to fabric. The way it moves often tells me what it wants to become. I only sketch after I’ve worked with the fabric in my hands. That’s when the story starts to take shape.
To me, modern elegance comes from honesty. It’s not about being loud. It’s about feeling right. A look becomes relevant when it feels effortless but is built with intention. I always start from emotion and then build a shape and a silhouette around it.
Craftsmanship is everything. My brand is built on handwork – from pleating to draping. Each manipulation is done by hand and inspired by the twists and curves of nature. It’s couture, but not in the traditional sense; it is emotion turned into fabric.
I’m always drawn to fabrics that move with grace. Chiffon, crepe, taffeta – they all speak to me. My colours shift depending on my mood, but I often return to soft neutrals or bold monochromes. My cuts tend to stay consistent. I love a strong silhouette, but the details evolve depending on how I feel.
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The SS25 collection, My Girl, stands out to me. It was inspired by timeless classic pieces, but each one has a modern twist. It reflects the bond I share with my daughter – our love for old films, iconic women and silhouettes that never age. It’s not just a collection, it’s our connection, turned into clothing.
Success has changed its meaning for me. At first, it meant survival, then growth. Now it’s about building something that lasts. Something that connects. If I can keep doing what I love, while making women feel seen and celebrated, that’s success. To stay grounded, I remind myself why I started. I stay close to my family. They are my balance. And I always create from emotion, not from trend. That’s what keeps me centred. Over the years, I’ve dressed so many incredible women. But the moments I remember most are when someone tells me she felt like herself – just stronger – in one of my dresses. That feeling is unforgettable, every single time.
Outside of work, my personal style is simpler. Still feminine and strong, just less dramatic. I gravitate towards comfort, clean lines and soft fabrics. I think of it as a softer reflection of the brand.
Right now, I’m really excited about our Resort 25 collection, Cha Cha. It’s about breaking out of a mood and letting yourself dance again, emotionally and creatively. It’s fun, emotional and feels like a release. We’re also working on launching our first heels collection, which I’m really excited to share.
If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be this: don’t be afraid to start small and don’t wait for things to be perfect. Some of my best moments happened when everything felt uncertain, but I trusted the feeling.
And the moment that always brings me back to why I started? Every time my daughters sit with me, give their opinions or tell me how a design made them feel. That’s when I remember – this isn’t just about fashion. It’s about emotion, connection and legacy.
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