Introducing a collective work of passion, Hauteside is a reflection of a woman’s love for high-end fashion. Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the label, Mahdiya Farook’s dream was to portray the essence of a woman’s journey toward developing courage, creating her own identity and celebrating her individuality. Together with Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Saman Jamshid; Mahdiya launched the brand in Doha, Qatar to cater to fashionable women who want to celebrate themselves.
Think sophisticated styles and trendy designs; elegant classics; sustainable; high quality; competitive prices and you have Hauteside. Made in South Asia, Hauteside is now taking a leap and stepping out into the world, making its break and introduction in Qatar and Sri Lanka. “Each piece of clothing is made with love and purpose. The underlying intention is confidence, sense of style and also contributing towards women’s wellbeing around the world,” explains Mahdiya.
Mahdiya is a Programme and Project Manager by profession and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wolverhampton (UK), a Post Graduate in Strategic Leadership and a Bachelor’s in Education. She started her career as a Merchandiser for a fashion accessory firm in Hong Kong and has over 14 years of experience in the fashion industry working closely with many international brands such as Next, Banana Republic, Zara, Macy’s and LC Waikiki. Her work ethic, attention to detail and skill set eventually led to her promotion to Marketing Director for the firm.
She has extensive experience in textiles manufacturing, products sourcing and vendor management. When she relocated to Qatar from Sri Lanka, she continued her work with a private firm as a Programme Manager for another six years. She is also a social media influencer and has a lifestyle blog. For Hauteside, she manages the strategic business operations, finance, PR and Branding. Saman has a decade of experience in the fields of marketing and PR, she is also a Fashion Influencer and Stylist based in Doha.
Hateside’s unique disposition allows the label to employ and collaborate with powerhouse females from across the globe. “Fashion in Qatar is still evolving and there’s a gap and lack of choice regarding clothing for the modest, modern and trendy woman. Certain styles tend to be very repetitive, with a lack of uniqueness. There’s also the high cost for a consumer with a medium-high budget. That’s where our label comes in,” added Mahdiya.
The objective remains to source sustainable high-end fabric from around the world, with the addition of accessories and other add-ons sourced through a variety of supply chains. This allows the label to expand in design horizons while not having to compromise on quality. Each item of clothing is handmade and hand-dyed. They are also made into separates so that customers have the freedom to select separate pieces from the range, and mix and match them with other separates they have in their wardrobe. This allows room for clients to restyle and rewear complete looks in the future, prolonging the life and use of their clothing.
Subsequently, Hauteside aims to grow into a label that will be manufactured primarily by homegrown small businesses in different countries – each with a strong hook and quality that will continue to serve the brand’s purpose. The designers of the label will incorporate Asian and Qatari cultures with modern, contemporary designs.
“Qatar has limited resources in terms of where we want Hauteside. That is why our design solutions, including that of diversifying our manufacturing and designing, will expand across the globe. My husband Shafraz has been my biggest pillar of strength and has played a large role in bringing this brand to life,” Mahdiya stated. Hauteside is now available for purchase at WH, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7. For more information visit their Instagram page Hauteside_official or WhatsApp at +97477660011.