It is safe to say that fashion is universal and a language of inspection and creativity. It can include various cultures and spiritual connections. Fashion represents identity, and it is somewhat indicative of certain cultures among peoples.
“ Art is the essence of life and it helps in creative expression of self. The more we create art in our appearance the more fashion it becomes . All the things that we put on with a certain amount of creativity makes for a great fashion statement” Syrian fashion designer Daleen Haider in an interview with the Syriatimes e-newspaper.
She stressed that fashion designing is of great importance in people’s lives, as it is more than just the process of making clothes. It is a culture that differs from one country to another, because it expresses the values of its own society.
The Syrian fashion designer Haider, who has started her career about 22 years , is keen in her designs on simplicity and elegance and at the same time she goes along with international fashion lines.
Daleen Haider , who is a member of the Syrian Fashion Designers Association and a certified coach from the German Board said “I tend to diversify my designs, in order to suit different tastes, while being keen on a feminine look in a distinctive and simple way. As a designer, I make sure to coordinate the design with the type of fabrics used”.
She held a number of training courses on fashion designing and sewing at the Syria Trust for Development, UNICEF and the Family Planning Association, in addition to her work as a teacher in several technical and vocational schools.
Haider stressed the importance of shedding light on the traditional costumes of every governorate to revive the tangible heritage , calling for spreading the culture of fashion through cultural activities that are held.
She pointed to the importance of intensifying efforts with students of vocational and technical schools through holding various activities to encourage them to enter the labor market, improve their income, and follow the latest trends in the world of fashion.
The fashion designer held an online course for students of the College of Fine Arts in Baghdad and was honored by several magazines on art and fashion in Egypt and Baghdad, as well as Al-Nujoum and Al-Arab magazine.
“ Supported by Mr. Hadi Haider from DH company , I held a fashion event in 2018 under the title “Fashion Day,” which included 32 fashion designers who were my students and presented their own designs” Haider said.
She added “in 2019, another event was held under the title “Beauty Legends,” with the participation of fashion designers from several governorates, including Homs, Damascus, Aleppo, Al-Sweida.
“ I am interested in introducing the culture of fashion to children so I organized several sewing and design workshops for children, with the participation of children aged 8-18 and held a special fashion show for children’s designs” the fashion designer said.
She indicated that she was assigned by the Ministry of Education to teach the subject of folk clothes at technical and vocational schools to shed light on the culture of clothes in all governorates regarding various occasions such as joy and sadness and seasons of harvest including traditional songs .
She pointed to the interest in the world of fashion by young people, especially students of the College of Fine Arts and housewives, to enter the labor market, enhance their presence and improve their income.
The Syrian stressed the importance of establishing a union for fashion designers to enhance the local talents and expertise as well as supporting projects which aim to support the world fashion
In turn, the graduate of the College of Fine Arts, Alaa Wakil, said: “I have been influenced since my childhood by the world of fashion, as I used to sew dresses for dolls . Since 2013, I have always joined sewing and design courses with the designer, Daleen, to follow what is new in this field”.
“ I participated in two fashion events . It is a happy feeling to wear your own design and product” she added.
Wakeel, stressed that heritage is indispensable in all fields, even fashion, with the use of new technologies and following the latest in the world of fashion.
“ My dream is to have my own fashion house to have my own mark in this field globally” Wakeel concluded.
Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam