LIFE

From left to right: Ranya wears shirt, Dhs2,175, Twisty Parallel Universe at Boutique 1. Jeans, J Brand; shoes, Christian Louboutin, both Ranya’s own. Sara wears top, Maison Martin Margiela; trousers, Topshop; necklace, Mikimoto; shoes, Christian Louboutin, all Sara’s own. Cuff, Dhs3015, Aurélie Bidermann at Boutique 1. Noor wears dress, vintage Nicole Farhi; watch, vintage Bulgari; earrings, vintage Chanel; shoes, Valentino, all Noor’s own

126 | Harper’s BAZAAR | June 2014

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TH R E E ’ S COM PA NY In their sky-high Dubai Marina apartment, the trio behind luxury dress hire boutique Designer-24 has created an oasis of calm away from the demands of their stylish new venture Photography by KATE LEWIS Words by JULIA MAILE

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y moving into their 18th floor, seaview Dubai Marina apartment together, the three women behind luxury dress hire service, Designer-24 – co-founders Sara Alemzadeh, 33, and Ranya Khalil-Aghamardi, 27, and creative director Noor Breish, 27 – have effectively tripled their designerfilled wardrobes over night. “We each have our own distinct style, but it’s hard not to enjoy each other’s closets,” smiles Iranian American Sara, “economising fashion is the whole concept behind Designer-24.” Case in point: on Bazaar’s photoshoot, they’re constantly dipping in and out of each other’s wardrobes, borrowing shoes and jewellery to accessorise their individual looks. It was the realisation that not everyone has such easy access to friends’ closets that helped spark the business idea. “Women of the region have a huge demand for cocktail and evening dresses,” says British Lebanese Ranya. “With Instagram and magazine society pages, once a dress is worn, it’s everywhere, and women don’t want to be seen in the same outfit twice.” Designer-24 – with its roll call of international designers such as Marchesa, Antonio Berardi and Naeem Khan, alongside regional designers ➤ June 2014| Harper’s BAZAAR|127

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“I

t’s so exciting to be able to make high-end fashion designers accessible” NOOR BREISH

like Ayesha Depala, Rani Zakhem and Rami Al Ali – fills a gap by offering beautiful gowns that women can wear just once, guilt-free. “It’s so exciting to be able to make high-end fashion designers accessible,” says Noor, who hails from Libya, enthusiastically. “And it’s really impressive how dominant designers from this region have become in the world of luxury couture,” Sara adds. As a new business that only launched in May this year, the biggest challenge was convincing designers to come onboard, with Sara and Ranya zigzagging between Paris, Milan, New York and Beirut. “One of my most memorable meetings was with Ed Chapman, CEO of Marchesa,” says Sara. “Upon entering Ed’s office, his sweet Yorkie, Lottie, hopped on my lap to cuddle. At the end of the meeting, he looked at his dog, looked at me and said, ‘It looks like you’re in’… And that was it. Ed loved the Designer-24 concept, but maybe it was Lottie’s love that sealed the deal,” she smiles. Although all three women have Middle Eastern heritage, they are recent arrivals in Dubai – Sara is from New York, Noor grew up in London, while Ranya still splits her time between Dubai and London – and are enjoying juggling the startup with exploring their new city. “The Marina is great; it’s full of young and ambitious people, so there’s a great energy,” says Ranya. “And nothing beats waking up in the morning and seeing the water.” Living and working together, do they talk shop 24 hours a day? “We have such a great friendship base 128 | Harper’s BAZAAR | June 2014

Noor wears top, Zara. Shorts, Dhs1,300, Acne at Boutique 1. Shoes, Alice + Olivia. Ear cuff, Topshop. Bracelet, Dhs2,295, Eddie Borgo at Boutique 1

– we love going to Kite Beach or for a chilled dinner at Bussola together – so we’re able to switch off and enjoy each other’s company, though inevitably work comes up in one way or another,” says Ranya. But, says Sara, they make sure to keep it fun, “We laugh all the time.” The trio are also enjoying putting their stamp on the apartment, which they’ve decorated in neutral tones. “I’ve made sure there’s no lack of Turkish coffee and scent candles,” laughs Noor. “My favourite are Santa Maria Novella; they remind me of my childhood as I grew up with my father and grandfather using their products.” With decorating still a work in progress, what’s next on the list? “Coffee table books, framed pictures and mementos from our holidays. We all travel so much and love to add trinkets from our adventures,” Noor says. When it comes to personal style, all three women are chic in their own unique way. Ranya – a shoe obsessive – opts for a feminine yet casual

Below left: Gold clutch, Charlotte Olympia and box clutch, NS By Noof, both Noor’s own. Shoes, Giuseppe Zanotti, Ranya’s own. Below: The trio are all accomplished cooks and enjoy entertaining in their elegant dining space

The living room decorated in muted tones is the perfect place to relax

Left: Sara wears top, Tibi, Dhs2,235, at Boutique 1. Trousers, Paul & Joe, Dhs1,795, at Boutique 1. Shoes, Sandro. Bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels. Bracelet, vintage. Above: Sara’s Chanel 2.25 bag

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STYLING: JULIA MAILE AND CHARLOTTE BLAIR. PRICES APPROXIMATE

ariety is what makes fashion fun... It’s hard not to enjoy each other’s closets”

look. “I love classic designers such as Dolce & Gabbana who know how to design dresses for women,” she says. “The second you put one on, you feel like a siren.” Sara’s style is “basics with a twist – polished and put together, yet laidback.” But she admits she also loves, “getting glammed up. Variety is what makes fashion fun.” Noor, who cites her father (a former model for Valentino) as her style icon, is a chameleon with an impressive collection of vintage finds. “I love waking up and dressing for the day and then again in the evening... And sometimes I even change for lunch,” she smiles. When pressed to pick a favourite designer stocked by Designer-24, diplomatically, they’re on the fence. “It’s hard to pick just one,” Sara exclaims. “Right now, I’m loving the elegant and structured pieces from Greta Constantine.” Noor’s current favourite is Barbara Casasola. “Every season we add to the list, so I’m super excited for what is coming in soon,” she says. With access to so many incredible gowns, do they wear the looks themselves? “You bet!” says Noor. “But coming from Middle Eastern backgrounds we’re superstitious and believe putting money towards the dresses we wear creates positive energy, so we hire them as well.” Access to each other’s impressive wardrobes and the rails of Designer-24... The enviable life and times of the region’s new style connoisseurs. ■

SARA ALEMZADEH

Left: Ranya wears shorts, Dhs1,530, Kenzo at Boutique 1. Top, Topshop. Shoes, Maria Pino. Above: shoes, Valentino. Earrings, vintage Chanel and vintage Yves Saint Laurent, all Noor’s own. Below: Clutch, Gucci, Noor’s own