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Vogue Arabia’s September It Girl Sara Al Tamimi is a Closet Fashionista

Sara Al Tamimi

Sara Al Tamimi. For Vogue Arabia September 2017

Originally printed in the September 2017 issue of Vogue Arabia.

The Abu Dhabi-based creative director who is set to launch her eponymous label takes Vogue Arabia on a tour of her closet that mixes the classic with the unexpected.

MODERN TRADITION
“I love clothes more than anything else,” says Sara Al Tamimi, creative director of Bedashing Beauty Lounge. “More than jewelry, more than bags, and more than shoes.” A quick perusal through her closet and it’s easy to see that Al Tamimi is drawn to pieces that mirror her experimental style. When it comes to piecing together her looks, Al Tamimi explains, “I like mixing traditional pieces with designs that are not considered part of the norm.” Indeed, while attending a recent event in Abu Dhabi she draped a sheer, lamé- embellished abaya over a Stella McCartney tux.

CLOSET OF COLLECTIBLES
Dior and Chanel are ‘masters’ in my closet,” explains Al Tamimi. “Every season, when I see something that captures my eye, that’s where I go.” Her verve for novelty recently led her to Balenciaga in New York, where she was looking for red stocking boots. “I would love to style them with a high-slit dress. There’s a floral number from Preen By Thornton Bregazzi, which I think will work.” She also credits a Tom Ford leather jacket with exaggerated shoulders and a red, longsleeved Valentino dress as special finds.

Sara Al Tamimi

Collection of classic Chanel tweed jackets. For Vogue Arabia September 2017

FUR FEVER
“I love fur,” Al Tamimi admits. Every winter, she makes a ski trip to Courchevel, where she checks in at the Alpes Hôtel du Pralong. Her collection includes a red fox fur vest that she found on a trip to Latvia, a green fox fur jacket from Russia, and a mink coat from Turkey. Her winter go-to is a camel hair Max Mara coat. “I like wearing it with my black Maison Michel felt hat and black leather J Brand pants.” While hitting the slopes for a full day of skiing, you can find Al Tamimi in Moncler or Topshop SNO.

CODDLED IN CABLE
“I like texture and I’m obsessed with knits,” the creative director says. “I have a pair of knitted beige pants from Chanel that I wore three times during a recent trip to New York. This one is from the Fall 2012 collection and is one of my favorite pieces,” she explains while pulling out a graphic black and white Dior skirt. Her recent woven additions include an Isabel Marant sweater and a Dior turtleneck in bright orange. “I have a Céline sweater with a very interesting neckline,” she says. “I like the drama, and I think it’s really trendy.”

ALL DAY OVERLAY
Her love of style encompasses a rotation of abayas. “One of my favorite brands is Homa Q. I have a black and gray ombré abaya that I wear almost every day,” she says. Al Tamimi, who is set to launch her namesake label of smartcasual women’s ready-to-wear designs, created her own abaya piece, featuring embroidered flowers. “I usually accessorize it with one of my two suede Gucci Dionysus bags and my Aquazzura for de Gournay slides.” For special occasions, the ESMOD Dubai graduate reaches for sheer styles featuring beading by McQueen Abayas or Homa Q. “I put them on for weddings or an evening event – that’s how we traditionally wear them.”

Related: Top 10 Abayas to Add Some Color to Your Summer Look

Sara Al Tamimi

A pink suede Gucci Dionysus shoulder bag is a favorite statement piece. For Vogue Arabia September 2017

DARING AFTER DARK
“I have a fitted Roberto Cavalli dress that plunges in the front and down the back. Honestly, it’s a bit revealing and daring, but at the same time very grand. Definitely a head-turner,” Al Tamimi states. “I like trying new things. I always aim for the unexpected when it comes to outfits. I think my family is used to it by now, because every time I go to a wedding and wear something crazy, no one looks twice anymore,” she laughs. For gatherings, she prefers a demure approach and dresses up in kaftans. “I have a sleeveless kaftan by Razan Alazzouni that I wear with my Chanel mules. I also love wearing kaftans by Vita Kin, and I recently got something by Yuliya Magdych that I’m planning to wear for Eid, if I don’t travel.”

FINISHING TOUCHES
“How I style my hair counts,” she notes. “I recently wore a silk outfit by Beaufille that had flared pants and long sleeves. The whole look had a cascading effect. Open hair would have killed it. I pulled my lengths back for a polished finish.” She doesn’t like wearing a lot of jewelry as it takes away from the outfit. “It makes it look like you are trying too hard, and that’s something I try to avoid.” When she does want to add a hint of sparkle, she adorns her lobes with marquise diamond earrings from Abu Dhabi-based jeweler Diamond Direct. “I would wear them with a dress that’s not overpowering.”

Vogue shops 5 of the best collections for abayas and cover-ups

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