It’s the opposite of fast fashion. The dresses are opulent and studded with pearls. The process is long—finding just the right thread for some delicate embroidery work can take months. However, there is something about buying a couture gown, an experience most women only get a taste of when they choose their wedding dress, which makes it fashion in its most rarefied, purest form.
Before Hanayen Couture House opened in 1986 in Abu Dhabi, many women looking for a couture gown would have to fly to Europe. “There were a few local fashion houses, but Hanayen was pioneering because it was the only one with an Emirati woman as the head designer,” recalls Hanan al Tamimi. “There were many challenges back then, such as sourcing high-end material, which we tackled by traveling around the world in search of different suppliers.”
As the founder and designer, Hanan still manages the whole process, from designing to pattern drafting to choosing the materials. The journey from sketch to sumptuous gown can take months. “This is the beauty of haute couture,” she says. “Each piece is unique in its own way.”
A client arriving at the classical drapes and columns of the light-filled Hanayen villa will begin the process by having lengthy conversations with Hanan and her team about what she is looking for. Al Tamimi says this is her favorite part of the day. “Customers do not just walk in and out of our doors in a few minutes,” she explains. “I give each one her time, go over every detail, answer any question she has and, of course, make time to socialize,” she shares.
“Being one of the first haute couture houses in the UAE, we are privileged to have loyal customers who have enjoyed our journey with us,” says Hanan, who remains tight-lipped about her famous clients. “Each customer is different. I find our brides are most interesting. We do not just give them a dress, we support them throughout their journey—from designing their wedding gowns and honeymoon dresses, all the way to the little details such as hairstyles and makeup.”
Now a staple in the UAE fashion circuit, Hanan has plans to take the brand global. “In five years’ time, we want Hanayen to be worldwide,” she says. “We recently moved from local to international photo shoots in destinations such as London and Italy, and this brings us closer to our target. I would also love to see our dresses worn on the red carpet.”
Hanan describes her own style as “classic with romantic silhouettes,” and says it is impossible to pick a favorite from all her fairytale creations. “I fall in love with my gowns every day for the passion and effort my team and I put into them,” she says. “But if I was to choose one piece, it would definitely be my daughter’s wedding dress because of the sentimental value.”
Photography By Aasiya Jagadeesh. Hanayencouture.com
