Norine Farah Talks About Starting her Own Fashion Label

You may have heard of Norine Farah, Egyptian fashion designer creating daring and unique dresses. Well, Norine Farah has gone international making her debut at Tiffany's New York fashion week competition. We couldn't help but grab a quick chat with Norine Farah, and talk to her about her love for design and which celebrity she would love to style.  

Norine Farah is one of the most talked-about names in the Egyptian fashion industry. What does it feel like?

It’s very overwhelming. I’m very honored that I’ve reached the point of recognition, yet having reached this level is also quite pressuring in the sense of making sure I also keep it up.

How did you get your start in the fashion design world?

It all started when I was very young. In school I always fell asleep thinking about dresses and sometimes dreaming of them. When I started university I knew that designing and art as a whole was my passion. As a painter I knew it would be very difficult to start my own gallery and honestly its a challenge to be successful in this area of work so I instantly thought way not travel and see if fashion designing would work for me.  My next step was enrolling myself 2008 in one of the most prestigious schools in Milan called Marangoni. I loved it so much that in 2009 I enrolled myself again but this time in Polimoda of Florence. As soon as I finished university in Alexandria, and started working in the corporate field and I couldn’t take it so one day I decided to shift my art studio to an atelier. That was the beginning of where I am now. It was a huge risk but I’m in essence a risk taker.

If you could describe your design vision in three words, what would they be?

Daring, different, extravagant.

You recently launched a swimwear collection. What sparked the idea?

It was an idea that I’ve had for a very long time. I couldn’t understand why designers don’t design swimwear! So I thought why not be one of the first to do so. Thankfully it was a huge success and a wonderful experience. The photo-shoot with Remon Markis and Pacinthe Badran helped make the whole buzz, and it was mind blowing working with such a team.

Tell us about your latest collaboration with fashion photographer, Batool Al Daawi.

I honestly believe that Batool Al Daawi and Farah El Sayed are two of the most creative and brilliant artists in Egypt. I never thought that I would have the honor to work with her. She has an eye for perfection that is incomparable to anyone I’ve ever met. She is a true artist by definition, and it would be an honor to work with her again. As for Farah El Sayed, stylist, well, she has the ability to make anything look absolutely gorgeous in an effortless way.

Share with us your favorite motivational quote.

It’s a very cliché one, but here it goes... When there’s a will, there’s a way.

How do you prefer to spend your free time?

When I have the free time, I usually spend it in a music studio jamming with some friends. Singing is a passion that I’ve always had, and I'm trying to never give it up.

A word of advice to anyone who wants to break into the fashion design scene.

Have patience, patience, patience. It’s not easy finding the right team and it’s not easy setting up a system. It will take time, but if you’re passionate enough, and you're a strong believer in yourself, it's certainly a matter of time till you have it all figured out.

What's next for Norine Farah?

I could gladly say that my next step is showcasing my work during one of New York Fashion Week's events this September, and I'm ecstatic about it.