career makeover success stories
Career Makeover Success Story: Fashion designer Amal Khourshid
© Aila Design
Aila Design ⎪ Beirut | Lebanon
« How A Python Skin Turned Amal Khourshid into a Fashion Designer »
Young Kuwaiti Amal Khourshid owns the hip fashion label Aila Design that makes the awesome bags shown above. But it is a mere coincidence that Amal ended up as a fashion designer since she was working in the financial services industry before.
Because we truly like Amal’s designs we were interested to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey so far. If you are as curious as we are, here is the Q&A!
Where are you from and were did you grow up. Did you study Fashion Design?
I am Kuwaiti. I lived mostly in Kuwait, but I also lived in London and Lebanon (where I am currently based). I never studied Fashion Design, but Fashion has always been my obsession since I was a kid.
What were you doing before AILA Design and is this your first business?
It is my first business. I am 28 years old. I majored in Banking and Finance and minored in Economics in the Lebanese American University in Beirut. I first started my career as an investment banker. I worked in Retail and Corporate Banking and then moved to Investments until I realized that Fashion is my main interest from which I can't get detached.
Was it difficult to start a fashion label?
To be honest, it all just started out as a hobby. I had no plans whatsoever to start a fashion label. I had just moved from London to Beirut and was looking for a job in my previous field.
I by coincidence found myself out of curiosity in a leather store,and bought a genuine python skin (I have a weakness towards exotic leathers). Then I thought why not design it myself and for once I would be able to exactly have every detail I liked combined all together in a clutch. I by coincidence also met the right person to put it all together. I gave him the design and details and we went along. It turned out a beautiful piece and I got asked several times for a similar one.
I started taking orders, and then I considered why not start a proper collection myself. I displayed my maiden collection in Kuwait and it was a great hit, which encouraged me to pursue my career.
I thought it would be hard at first, and I was so scared of failing or for people not to like my collection, but then I also thought there are risks in life to be taken for success to come along. I learned that experience comes along the way.
Any « artistic genes » in the family?
My sister has her own line of clothing. But I think it all started from our mom. She is so into designing and recreating. She is an interior decorator originally but she also always used her imaginations and designs on clothes and accessories. Since we were young we would see her turning an old dress into a new one by redesigning it, or detach some old accessories and re-changing them completely.
What inspires you?
I get inspired by many different things. I am personally a great fan of the 70's and 80's looks. I love adding an oriental twist to my designs when it is possible. The Parisian style inspires me as well.
Why bags?
I simply love bags. I am an addict. I always used to find something missing in a design or something could be done differently. It all started out as a hobby.
Any personal favorite bags?
Just like many girls, my all time favorite (non Aila bags) are the classical Chanel bags and the Kelly Hermès bags.
Any plans to expand beyond bags?
I am a perfectionist, so until I perfect what I am doing, I won't be expanding beyond bags and small leather goods. Shoes might be the next step; shoes and bags always compliment each other.
Where do you sell your bags?
I currently sell in Kuwait, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman, Sierra Leone (Africa), and Belgium as well as soon in the UK. And online on Goji Boutique.
What has been the most exciting moment so far?
My most exciting moments are when I see ladies I don't know carrying my bags in public. It makes me feel like I have made an achievement. Or when I am displaying at an exhibition, and see the amazement in my customers’ eyes.
Any advice you would give to aspiring fashion designers?
Don't let any obstacle stand in your way if you feel you are good at something and can do it. You can only know what you are capable of until you try it out and forget about failure. As Coco Chanel said: « Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable. »
Isn’t this another great and inspiring story of a stunning career makeover? We believe Amal’s story is another showcase for know what and where.com as it demonstrates the great entrepreneurship behind.
If you got inspired to pursue your true calling or if you want to share your story with us, please contact us!
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Career Makeover success Story: Jewelry Designer Candice D Mello
Vitrine | Toronto | Canada
« Jewelry Designer Gave Up Her Corporate Life to Pursue Her Dream »
Fashion jewelry label Vitrine is another inspiring story of a successful career makeover.
Vitrine's Founder, owner and designer Candice D Mello traded her corporate job for a career as a jewelry designer, what she identified as her true calling. Because we were inspired by her story we have asked her a few questions to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey.
Please tell us how things started at Vitrine. What were you doing before and what made you decide to become a jewelry designer?
I used to work in the corporate world but never felt inspired; I need fulfillment that I recognized could only come from doing something creative. It was a very difficult process to come to terms with quitting my well-paid job that I didn't really quite like or, doing something I loved but not quite making that amount of money.
I decided I had to be brave, I had one life to live and I had to be happy at what I did, because it was affecting my relationships and my mood. So in 2003 I quit my corporate job and started doing home decor pieces and was commissioned to do coasters for several stores in Toronto and Dubai. I have always been artistic, dabbling in painting, embroidery, and ceramic... anything to do with color, that had my interest!
Slowly I started dabbling with jewelry... this was probably about two years ago. Although my earliest memory of making jewelry is when I received a set of plastic beads that resembled glass on my 5th birthday. I strung all those beads into necklaces and bracelets and wore them around the house! I remembered how much I loved doing that, so I got myself a couple of books and started visiting bead shows and jewelry supply stores. Because of my travels I didn't start selling on Etsy till about February 2008.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I often find that I’m inspired by what I find… The more unique they are, the more inspired I am to use them in a design. I never know what I’m going to create until I see the bead or findings in person. That’s why I hardly buy online, and prefer to go to bead fairs/stores. Colors, textures, form, all excite me and that’s part of the pleasure in creating; never knowing what you’re going to find, and then making something out of the treasures!
How would you describe your design philosophy?
I have a variety of styles and items available in my store.That's because I am constantly learning and wanting to try doing something different. It keeps the boredom away, and gives my customers something new. I think that's part of being an entrepreneur, giving your customers something different, keeping them on their toes never knowing what's going to come next.
What’s your signature piece?
One of my favorite items are my Glazed Japanese paper Pendants that were born from walking by a Japanese Paper store in Toronto and being mesmerized by the colors. I stumbled upon what would become one of my favorite materials - Japanese paper. I loved them so much that I looked for a way to showcase their beauty into wearable pieces. And voilà -these pendants were born! I’ve mostly used Chiyogami Japanese papers. These papers are hand-made by families in Japan that have been doing this for centuries. Some even have 24 karat gold embedded in them! To protect
them, I’ve used a waterproof glaze which gives each pendant an enameled shiny patina. No two are alike, and it’s like wearing a piece of art!
How would you reflect on your entrepreneurial journey so far?
I love what I do. I wake up each morning feeling inspired. Sometimes I am so inspired I can't work quickly enough! I still don't have enough exposure for my work. The recession is a bit difficult - I planned to open a brick and mortar store, but that's on hold for now. But you know that saying? When you're happy doing what you do, the money will come (or something like that?). So I figure I just have to create and keep at it!
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