The Fashion Interview: Faiza Bouguessa
Starting a fashion brand was always a dream of mine. What I didn’t realise is the work it would take to define my vision for Bouguessa. It took me a good two years of researching the industry before we officially launched. I wanted an aesthetic that I felt was close to my own style – minimal and sophisticated – and I wanted to offer something different that catered to women who had the same interests and passions as I did – namely, art, architecture, and design.
I grew up in a family full of creatives. They all inspired me in one way or another to take a more creative route with my career. My grandmother was a seamstress and taught me basic sewing at a very young age. My mother had also wanted to be a fashion designer – so she sharpened my interest in all things fashion, cinema and literature.
Roland Mouret was a mentor to me very early on. But I’ve also been supported a lot by Sara Maino from Vogue Italia, Princess Deena and many more women to whom I feel so grateful for all the connections I made since I started my brand.
My French Algerian heritage comes through a lot in my designs. French fashion is so effortless and sophisticated, and I want my designs to have that same sense of ease, so they can be worn anywhere, anytime. It’s omnipresent through the fabrics, patterns and shapes.
My personal style is best described as minimal chic with a twist. I like to add a little element here or there that makes my look a bit different. Everything I design needs to relate back to this, and I often ask myself would I wear this? If the answer is no, it gets cancelled.
The Bouguessa aesthetic is all about minimalist sophistication and refined elegance. We offer contemporary classics inspired by art, architecture and modern design, and the signature silhouettes lie in modern cuts, clean, bold lines, and a geometric precision that’s designed to inspire confidence in anyone who wears them.
Bouguessa’s DNA is wardrobe classics with a contemporary twist. The definition of our cuts and the quality of our fabrics is what sets us apart and makes the collections timeless. When you wear a Bouguessa piece, the way you carry yourself is different. You feel like the best version of yourself.
The current collection is an ode to strong women. It celebrates the return of the great outdoors with strong outerwear and utilitarian designs, while the structured tailoring is finished with sharp shoulders and a layer of buttons reminiscent of the 1950s feminine silhouettes. Cargo pants and ribbed tank tops offer balance, and the colour palette spans black, navy and khaki juxtaposed with neon leather and soft pink for a burst of optimism and energy.
Fashion isn’t about following trends, it's about seeing clothing as an investment. Bouguessa is a brand for creative thinkers – women and men – who want contemporary, sophisticated garments that are made to last, and can easily be mixed and matched without taking too much time out of their schedule. It’s about style, quality and wearability.
Beyoncé wore a piece from my very first collection. To have such a moment so soon after launching was incredible. There are so many other moments that have stood out, too. Princess Deena Al Jouhani has worn the brand and she’s someone who I admire so much. In the future, Rosie Huntington-Whitely is someone I’d love to see in Bouguessa.
Our bestsellers include the long blazer, our signature shirts, and our tailored trousers are also very popular. These are the pieces that are always re-invented or kept as they are because they form the core of each collection – and a woman’s wardrobe.
My personal favourites from the collection are the Helena pants (they make me feel like the best version of myself) and the Fabri coat (I love its masculine aesthetic). The Sara shirt dress is also so versatile and can be worn either as a dress or as a top over trousers.
Sustainability is a strong focus in our business – whether it be our packaging, our fabric selection, or any of our practices for that matter. Our main collections are produced in responsible quantities every year, which allows us to offer a concise range that’s more loyal to our vision. We also constantly rework our deadstock fabrics and leather to ensure as little as possible goes to waste.
There is a lot on the agenda for 2023. From our studio in Dubai’s Design District, I come up with three collections a year and this year we’ll introduce our denim line, which has been made in Italy, which is very exciting. So look out for that.
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