Style Spotlight: Assieds Toii
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FASHION
How would you describe your style?
Isabella: We both have a similar style – our office days start with comfort (so normally leggings with chunky socks) but when we dress up, Haya is more feminine. We both love a good, oversized suit and finding the perfect pair of jeans though.
Who or what has had the biggest influence on your style?
Haya: My mother – mums always know best!
Isabella: Princess Diana – I loved her off-duty looks, her blazers with the big shoulder pads, and of course, the cycling shorts, oversized jumper and baseball cap look.
What’s your go to look for AW23?
Haya: A suit with a cashmere oversized sweater and my purchase of the season – a white trench coat from The Row which I found in a sample sale.
Isabella: A great pair of jeans and a big coat. We always love wearing a chunky sock with our favourite pair of trainers – this season my trainers are from Asics.
What’s on your new-season wish list?
Haya: We’ve both been eyeing up the Nour Hammour leather coats – they’re a constant point of discussion in the office.
Whose style do you admire and why?
Isabella: We love Rosie Huntington Whiteley – always a clean colour palette and incredibly stylish – and Bianca Jagger (plus, we secretly love any excuse to dress like Cher).
What's the hardest-working piece in your wardrobe and why?
Haya: Black kitten-heel slingback Manolos. I love them with a suit or with jeans, dressed up or down. My mother always wore kitten heels and I used to make fund of her but now I’m converted!
Isabella: Natasha Zinko jeans – I’ve had mine for two or three years and they are so versatile. You can dress them up or down, with heels or UGGs, and I love how baggy they are.
Favourite brand for a splurge?
Haya: For both of us, it’s The Row (on sale!), Tove Studio and Totême.
Favourite high street brands?
Isabella: COS, especially for cashmere. I just bought some maroon trousers and a matching top; it’s knitted, so it’s an elevated but chic look, and so comfortable.
Haya: I love Uniqlo for its ultra-light puffers. They can look quite cool, depending how you style them.
Favourite under-the-radar brands?
Isabella: House of Dagmar for coats and Tove Studio for jeans and belted leather jackets.
What do you really like to invest in?
Haya: Coats, because I love a colourful coat over an all-black outfit.
Isabella: Our office bags have been our best investment to date. We were struggling to find good work bags but we’ve both invested in tan styles from The Row and Khaite.
Which sustainable brands are you loving at the moment?
Haya: Ninety Percent for basics, Matteau and Alfie, which is made by a friend of ours – we love her cargo pants.
What’s your shopping philosophy?
Isabella: You might see something, become obsessed with it and then forget about it. But if you can’t forget about it, wait it out and consider how many ways you can style it. You need to justify all the different looks.
Haya: Invest in key pieces and go for quality over quantity.
What was your favourite look from the shoot any why?
Haya: The Totême cream suit styled with a simple white tank top and a JW Anderson belt. I love investing in beige and black belts – they last forever. The suit was elegant, flattering and really represented my style and character.
Isabella: The Le Set shirt and Loulou Studio pants – they were comfortable but also made me feel good and so empowered.
What's your number one style rule?
Haya: If you don’t feel comfortable in it, don’t wear it.
INTERIORS
How would you describe your interiors style?
Haya: I'm drawn to the warmth of Scandinavian design with all its neutrals, but I also love injecting bursts of colour to create that contrast. I recently bought a travertine coffee table from an antique dealer that I’m obsessed with and can’t wait to decorate it with our Oyster Medley vase, which we launched in July.
Isabella: My interiors style leans towards a cosy ambiance, abundant in natural light and lots of soft finishing touches. I really like incorporating wood into my designs, too.
When did you first realise you were design minded?
Haya: When I enrolled in art classes during school. But I suppose the real confirmation came when I applied to the Strategic Design and Management programme at Parsons in New York – a course that integrated business and design, aligning perfectly with my aspirations for the entrepreneurial and management roles in design and innovation that I now hold.
Isabella: My passion for design emerged during high school, particularly graphic design. The allure of screen printing and typography sparked my excitement to pursue a career in design.
Tell us about your career journey to date?
Haya: Isabella and I are heavily inspired by fashion and we both have fashion backgrounds. Now, we love mixing interior design and fashion. Combining the two industries is so rewarding and leads to endless creativity.
Isabella: During the pandemic, we looked for jobs in the fashion industry and realising there was a strong link between fashion and interiors, we decided to expand into the interiors industry with a homeware brand that had a fashion mindset. Our creativity has evolved along the way and various fashion trends have influenced our choices.
How did you come up with the idea for your stools?
Isabella: Our journey with Assieds Toii started with reviving antique furniture. While exploring antique markets, we noticed so many chairs that needed restoration or new upholstery to bring them back to life. However, as much as we love antique chairs, not everyone had space for them for their home.
Haya: We love the 1960s and 1970s style, and when we saw a retro picture of a mushroom ornament on the floor, that inspired the shape and style of our stool.
Where else do you find your inspiration?
Haya: Beirut is a city rich in culture, textiles, and vibrant colours, and it always holds a special place in my heart. The Hotel Albergo remains one of my favourites.
Isabella: Italy with its charming towns, delicious cuisine, and vibrant colours.
Is there anything you collect?
Haya: I collect plates, ashtrays and vases from every country I visit. These mementos carry memories from each place.
Isabella: My collections are mainly vases and coffee table books, and each item holds a unique story or visual intrigue.
What’s next for Assieds Toii?
Isabella: Our long-term goal would be to open our own showroom, positioning it as the ultimate destination for interiors fans. Our upcoming Christmas collection features lots of ceramics, including espresso cups and mugs. Additionally, we’ll expand with a summer glassware range.
Visit AssiedsToii.com
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