Fustany.com is a big fan of Leila Hafzi's outstanding designs. Colorful and unique prints with stunning designs. Meet Leila Hafzi ...

F: How did everything start?

I left to Nepal in 1997 to apply for a design school in Europe. I then saw the “missing link” between the manufacturer, the product and the European market. Nepal was known for cheap and bad quality “buy and throw” products and manufacturers were in need of product developers to ensure a new level of quality and design.

Starting off with hand knitted untreated hemp and nettle knitted by a group of 200 un-educated women, made me understand my value as a design and production tool to fusion handcrafts, design and trade from a developing country to the Western market.

F: What inspires you while designing?

I'm always based on an aspect relating to mother earth and getting inspired by colors of nature. For example the Spring/Summer 2010 Collection Nektar, was inspired by all the beautiful colors of the flowers you can find in Nepal.

The artistic style of the brand is based on inspiration from Tibetan monk draping, Greek inspired goddess gowns and a touch of the seventies glam. I’m a bohemian by heart and let the easy going urge for comfort play a part in my designs.

F: Favorite cuts, fabrics and colors?

I take the rainbow down from the sky, change, mutate and fusion it then spread them, letting them play into a collection; my favorite color is therefore ever changing. When I choose colors for the different collections I don’t follow the color forecast from the trend bureaus, but choose the ones that I feel will be the prettiest and it also depends on the “eco-friendly” colors available for the fabric I want to use.

Of course, l’ d love to let creativity flow free, but for our team it is most important to create designs which harmonically balance between the creator, the crafts men/women and the consumer market.

F: What's your biggest achievement?

The biggest achievement is to see that the brand is growing and that the production in Nepal is as steady as possible.  To see factories grow in size and production number as a direct result of our cooperation is an important part of my motivation.

F: Tell us more about the different lines you offer?

Our newest Bridal/ Red carpet collection “Royad Sefide” which means “Bright dreams” in Persian was presented for the first time the 19th of February, during Oslo Fashion Week.

The fluttering dresses are made of silk chiffon, silk organza or hand painted silks, which are draped and decorated with details such as flower applications to embrace the femininity of women. Due to the brands vision of sustainable fashion, the dresses may also be ordered in a variety of colors for red carpet-events and other occasions.

A new more eco-focused line is on the agenda. I’m leaving for Nepal next week to start the production of the new line in cotton, silk and nettle. I want more ecologically produced fabrics as I still don’t believe blindly the certificates. It needs tracing back to the origin of each yarn. It will be a more casual and wearable line with a much lower prize range than my signature collection.

 
F: Which celebrity/public figure would you like to see wearing your designs?

Cate Blanchett is my all time favorite- she looks and seems like a strong woman, yet very feminine and is also a superb actress.

F: Favorite quote?

Nothing is impossible! – it’s been an important motivation, also to inspire our workers in Nepal I’ve put it like this – I’m the architect and you’re the engineers, together we will find a solution.

F: Are you planning to expand towards the Middle East?

We hope to expand to the Middle East and other parts of the world, but everything has to be really good planned and since we are into ethical trading the expanding cannot go too fast. We have already had good sales to designer shops in the Middle East, but need to focus on one market at a time.

F: Three things you can't live without?

 My friends and family in my hometown Stavanger, great food and Internet.

F: If you had to choose another career, what would you be?

It’s always been to be an architect, lawyer or psychologist. But the recent years I’ve been aware of my skills in the kitchen and would love to have a small restaurant with an herb garden on an island in Greece, or an easy life in the countryside making and selling flower tea. I would have my hands full in one way or the other.

F: Who's your fashion icon?

I don’t really have one, but if I have to mention some cool women it will be Grace Jones, Kate Moss and Nathalie Portman. And a fictional character will definitely be Modesty Blaise!

F: Give us a glimpse on your upcoming collection, collaborations and exciting new projects.

Since we have the production of the dresses in Nepal, our long-term goal is not only to create more “fairpaid” jobs in Nepal, but also several well-functioning work places. Local employment, particularly of women in Nepal so they can get empowered, is a part of our commitment in the most ethical production.

I was recently appointed to join a group of 20 young Norwegian leaders to assist The Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry in making visions for 2020. I would like to focus on development of sustainable high quality fabrics and designs with an offspring of fusion of mainly Norway and Nepal, among other countries traditional skills. I would like to see the possibilities of cooperate with the Norwegian fashion industry to make us able to export more as there is a lot of fine creativity there.

As mentioned earlier I’ve also started to draw sketches on a less expensive line with dresses, tunics and other styles that will be presented in February 2011.

For more information log onto http://www.leila-hafzi.com/