The Birth of Bambah Boutique. Courtesy Bambah
“It’s a major milestone,” acknowledges Maha Abdul Rasheed. The founder of Dubai-based Bambah celebrates ten years in the making this month. The Egyptian founder reflects on a decade of success. “Bambah was officially launched as the first, real vintage boutique in the Middle East,” she says. “I’ve always had a passion for vintage and I travel the world looking for unique one-off pieces. It was my dream to set up a boutique and introduce the concept of vintage clothing to the region.”
The launch of Bambah RTW in 2010. Courtesy Bambah
On the tails of the successful launch of the Bambah Boutique and after spending much time with her customers, Abdul Rasheed was inspired to launch her own vintage-inspired RTW line that drew from Fifties glamour. Pieces from the line were quickly snapped up, with Amal Clooney wearing the white polka dot shorts from the debut collection. The online store would soon launch, offering worldwide delivery.
The City Walk Dubai Bambah flagship. Courtesy Bambah
In 2015, Bambah boutique relocated to City Walk Dubai. Soon afterward, the brand was picked up by Farfetch, and was positioned alongside international established industry names. A line for children “Little Bambah” was next to launch. “It enriched the essence of fairytale fashion, bringing our little princesses their very own Bambah glamour, too,” recalls Abdul Rasheed.
Ballerinas of Cairo Campaign. Courtesy Bambah
“This was my favorite campaign, as it was all about my home town in Egypt, Cairo. It offered an opportunity for me to show the world how beautiful my country is,” recalls the founder of the shoot featuring local talent and which hit one million views. “The launch of Bambah Modest, was also very special to my heart, as my own mother is veiled. She is always on the hunt for trendy pieces that fall within the framework of modest clothing.” The collection was showcased during Torino fashion week, and served as its first international fashion showcase.
Bambah debuts its modest line at Torino Fashion Week. Courtesy Bambah
HM Queen Rania of Jordan in Bambah. Courtesy Bambah
The launch of Bambah Resort saw the brand inject a vibrant, new energy to its offerings and a more accessible price point. “Beach attire is my favorite thing to wear and when I noticed that resort wear and beach wardrobes were trending more than ever, I took the chance and thought it was a good time to launch our own line,” expresses Abdul Rasheed. Here’s to another ten years of following your passion and instinct.
Bambah Resort on the beach in Dubai. Courtesy Bambah
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