“Ta’a Marboota is an abaya brand that is about absolute femininity. I wanted my abayas to be more than just a tradition, so I added different designs, fabrics and colors to make every woman wearing my designs feel special and unique. My designs are a resemblance of this concept and are filled with an elegant touch to give each woman a sense of individuality,” said the Saudi fashion designer.
Azhar uses soft fabrics such as silk, chiffon and velvet to add a soft feminine touch that integrate the tradition of the abaya with colors and fabrics that represent contemporary lifestyles. The theme of her designs is perhaps best captured in the name of her brand —“ta'a marboota” is an Arabic letter that is often placed at the end of words to make them feminine.
Azhar believes that abayas don't have to be boring traditional pieces of black cloth and tries to send a message with her designs: That tradition can be updated.
“Keep in mind that women wear abayas in public, so why not feel good wearing them? Only through Ta’a Marboota can a woman make her dream of being feminine and unique come true,” she said.
Ta’a Marboota has launched four lines so far with each line telling its own story. It takes Azhar three months to design a collection. Each line gets its name after she finishes the designs and determines the overall look and feel of the collection.
"The first line was just the beginning and the second and third ones were a continuation of what I had initially started. However, the fourth line is what I consider the real start for Ta'a Marboota and it marked the point when I entered the realm of professionalism," said Azhar.
The next step for the designer is to open a boutique in Jeddah and she hopes to eventually reach a wider audience by expanding to the Gulf and international markets. Ta’a Marboota can currently be found through her Facebook group.
