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Bahraini couture designer, Sima Ahmed, has broken new boundaries with her bridal collection bringing 'simplicity' back!
"Simplicity is gold," Sima said as she gave me a tour of her contemporary boutique in Muharraq. "I like to keep things simple but elegant. While I carry myself as a fashion designer I love the idea of design altogether - the interiors as well," she added.
Following in her mother's footsteps, a seamstress, Sima was surrounded by designs as a child. She became enthralled with the idea of putting together a line someday and the use of different fabrics. But, while fashion had become her passion, Sima's career path took another turn, securing a job with Gulf Air in the aviation world.
She said: "I always loved fashion - all types of fashion - and when I graduated from high school that is what I initially wanted to pursue, but I didn't get much support. My family just didn't see fashion as a real career that would give me everything I want and desire. They didn't realise that it meant the world to me though, but I know they only had my best interests in mind.
"In college I studied English and marketing but didn't finish either. I just knew it wasn't for me.
"It was my husband who encouraged me to become the designer I always wanted to be. He was extremely supportive and wanted me to go after my dreams. So, at first I started from my apartment, turning it into a work room where I designed different attires.
"Although I find that I have the talent and the eye for it, I felt that studying fashion would further enhance my knowledge and credentials. I wanted to be a professional! So, in 2007, I flew to Milan, Italy, where I took a course and learned more about what the industry entails. I returned to Bahrain with new insight and bigger goals."
Sima, pictured below, right, started purchasing fabrics from abroad and began designing lingerie first before progressing to casual attire, abayas, party dresses and then bridal gowns. She then featured her first bridal collection in Rome which received rave reviews and instilled in her a confidence that simply shines through her sunny personality.
She said: "It was an amazing feeling to get that first line out."
When Sima returned to Bahrain later that year, she joined the British Council's designing culture programme to train 14 students about design. A fashion show was later held at the end of the course and the winner flown to London to take a design course.
She explained: "By taking part in this, it made me realise that we have a lot of Bahraini talent but they need more guidance and short courses. So I started teaching others and guiding them where to go and what to buy.
"When I first started the business it was difficult for me because I felt alone - no one to show me the ropes. But I learned and I taught because I know what it feels like to be lost."
In 2009, Sima was rewarded with the British Council's Cultural Leadership International award, which enabled her to return to Italy, but to Florence this time, for courses in fashion marketing and mannequin draping.
After Florence, she headed to Paris, where she took a C-design software course.
She explained: "This course makes my lingerie designs a lot easier and faster. All these different courses, I feel, made me who I am today. It brought out more of me and after all that I have seen there I can understand why the best designers stem from Italy.
"It is a beautiful country, romantic and artistic - all the basic combinations that bring forth inspiration."
Now she works out of her boutique in Muharraq which she runs with her Qatari partner and friend Ibtissam Al Amadi.
She said: "We have a showroom in Doha and our boutique will also be like a showroom as well. The first fashion show for our shop was done in La Fontaine and it was a big hit. I couldn't feature the lingerie but will hold a fashion show for that later in our boutique."
Sima quickly became the acclaimed designer she had hoped of being. After her return she picked up her drawing pad and began to sketch beautiful and unique wedding dresses for women who want to stand out on their special day. Her motto is: "We don't design clothes, we design dreams".
She is also working on a new bridal line which will be out soon and has the intention of perhaps delving into party dresses too.
"After checking the market in Bahrain I noticed what we have and what we don't. I don't bother with competitors because I know what I am here to do and will focus on the boutique.
"At the moment I am designing a complete bridal set which includes the dress, the lingerie and abaya. The lingerie will be customised for the bride. Even my dresses are unique. I am very open with the bride and make her feel at ease.
"Basically, I cater to what the bride wants and let the fabric and the quality work its magic. She shouldn't have to worry about the dress too and with me - she won't."
For further information visit https://www.simasfashion.com
