Introducing: Distraction by Haya

  Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa presents "Distraction by Haya" at Avenue Collection.  For Spring Summer '12 the collection is inspired by the serenity and simplicity of the bedouin lifestyle of poetry and earth colors that reflect daytime sand-dune gold & beige to the deep blue night skies and the scarceness of ivory in the Sahara which translated into wonderous fabrics designed by Haya herself.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Distraction's designer Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa to take a further look behind the emerging label:

Q-How Did you become a designer?

Haya: It started with fine art, and developed to fashion design, as I have had a life long and vey enthusiastic passion for both!

Q- What was the first thing you designed personally or professionally?

Haya: Personally, a bag when I was ten! Professionally, it was an evolution of a collection called 'Principessa' a few years back.

Q- What/who inspires you/ your work? Haya: I'm inspired by elegance, beauty in nature and people! Luxury and femininity play a large role in my designs and my artistic approach.

Q-What area of your work do you enjoy the most?

Haya: Working with my hands, being around people.  I like to work with people directly, and therefore its a plus in fashion ! I also enjoy history and heritage with both play a large role in my inspirations and designs.

Q- How would you describe your own personal style?

Haya: Elegance with an edge! I enjoy wearing fairly quirky styles, always different from the crowd but in a feminine way.

Q-How do you intend for women to feel when wearing your collection?

Haya: I want them to feel happy, fashionable, classy and comfortable!

Q-What is your favourite piece from this collection?

Haya: They are so dear to me, but if I had to pick one, or two they are the "Meem" Dress in Indigo and the cream "Calligraphy Birds" dress.

Q-What is the one item that every woman should have in her closet?

Haya: A dress! Any type of dress, maxi or short dresses; they are essential to every woman's wordrobe, are always feminine and can be worn in so many ways, you just have to think outside the box.

Q- What is next for "Distraction"?

Haya: Creating more fashion!