“SEE” Interviews Egyptian Fashion Designer Hana Othman

Pasant Elzaitony

Fashion designer Hana Othman became the first Egyptian to participate at the St. Petersburg Fashion Week in Russia.

She presented a 14-piece collection of children's first Haute Couture show for weddings and special occasions.

SEE managed to get up close with the young designer to learn more about her.

[caption id="attachment_76803" align="aligncenter" width="660"] An Egyptian designer Hanna Othman[/caption]

The desire to present something different that had never been created before gave inspiration to the designer, who created Zahan Brand not long ago; she also presented three distinctive fashion evening wear collections for women.

She then began to consider doing an Haute Couture show, but this time for “Zahan kids” children, more so, after she noticed that children in Egypt and around the world have a passion for fashion and had excellent taste, especially at special occasions.

Here is the full excerpt of the interview:

Why did you choose Russia and how did you manage to participate in the fashion show?

**I contacted the person in charge of the fashion show and sold him a dress.

He was impressed by the fact that it was a nice handmade design with very fine finishing, and so he agreed to share my designs.

I was required to work harder, whether to sketch my designs or implement them at different stages; I worked day and night until the work was completed in the required time.

[caption id="attachment_90906" align="aligncenter" width="684"] Red is very fashionable this winter[/caption]

How was the work coordinated until the fashion show appeared so perfectly?

** Working with them is very professional and understandable in the field of fashion; they have sent me pictures and sizes of the child models participating in the show and who will wear the designs. I was drawing every dress sketch; I knew the picture and the size of who will wear it.

They were all great models that included Anna Pavaga, the most beautiful girl in the world, and Elissa, the daughter of ambassador for Chanel; they are all wonderful and have high levels of team spirit and professionalism at work.

[caption id="attachment_91053" align="aligncenter" width="684"] Mother and daughter design[/caption]

How was the organization?
** It was very accurate and professional. I was surprised that in the end, they played song "Khaleena Neshofak" by Egyptian singer Amr Diab, which was a great gesture from the director of the show.

Did you use materials different from the ones used for grown-up dresses?

** My idea was to provide dresses for children similar to an adult's in terms of fabrics; I used lace with delicate hand embroidery.

I dealt with Zahan kids dresses as I did with an adult designs; I used all the elements of fashion so that every little girl feels elegant and have self-confidence when wearing special occasion dress.

Contributed by Yara Sameh