Photo courtesy of Ainy Naim
The farwa is an essential closet staple worn predominantly by fashion forward men and women in Saudi Arabia and Jordan once the temperatures dip during the cooler months. With its loose fit and wool lining, the bisht-like garment, which was originally handmade for desert dwellers, is the Arab’s answer to a winter coat. Today, modern designers are putting a contemporary touch to the traditional lambskin cloak by injecting it with vibrant colors and playful, graphic prints. In a sartorial case of East meets West, stylist-turned-designer Ainy Naim has made a name for herself in London’s bustling fashion scene with her wool, farwa-inspired cardigans that launched her ready-to-wear label Anz Clothing. Featuring a keffiyeh print (a traditional Palestinian scarf with a woven, checkered pattern,) Naim’s designs have found fans in the likes of Kanye West, Desiigner, Alicia Keys, and Swizz Beatz among others.
Naim tells Vogue Arabia how her cardigans have cloaked the backs of A-listers and shares her definitive rules on how to flawlessly style them.
On Using the Keffiyeh Print
It’s more than just a fashion statement, it’s cultural too. When I first launched my label in 2014 there was a lot of conflict in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine. I wanted to desensitize the negativity portrayed by the media and shift the perspective that the world had on the region by using the keffiyeh print dominantly in my designs. It’s such a beautiful pattern and I wanted to show people how rich and colorful Middle Eastern culture is. It’s very different from what’s on the market.
On Her A-list Clientele
During my time at Central Saint Martins, I worked as a stylist in the music industry on the side. I made personalized and unique pieces for a lot of celebrities, including Katy Perry, who would make all of these crazy clothing requests for when she would perform in London. That’s when I really found the confidence to start my own label. Of course, it took years of working in the industry to build the wonderful support system that I have now, but word of mouth really catapulted the demand for the cardigans.
Tips For Styling the Cardigans
They are very versatile and can be worn over skinny jeans and sneakers; or tied around the waist. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, you can throw a cardigan over your shoulder to dress down your outfit. Since the colors are very bold, I’d suggest pairing it with a plain white or black t-shirt.
What’s Next For Her
I’m working on bolder variations of the cardigan using old school knitting techniques. I’ve recently teamed up with Quincy Brown (P. Diddy’s son) to expand on the illustrated art direction within the brand.
Photographer: Erica Bergsmeds
Makeup: Bernicia Boateng
Hair: Isha G Samms
Art: Simona Ruscheva
