When an email flashed up in my inbox this week declaring Dubai had just established itself an online shopping site I was more than excited and immediately wanted to know more. So off I went to track down the fashion savvy abaya clad woman behind the new business venture to find out what the commotion is all about.Our radar of western fashion sites are constanting on overdrive, but suprise, suprise there is a new face in the market. Her name? Hind Baker. Her website? 3abaya.com.
AL (Ahlan! Live):What inspired you to start 3abaya.com?
HB (Hind Baker):The idea of creating this website came after I completed my studies in the United States. When I came back to Dubai, I was looking for chic and trendy abayas to wear and noted that shopping for abayas was not a very easy process. That is when I first thought of 3abaya.com because I wanted to create a platform for women globally to shop for cultural fashion that was unique and stylish.
I was also inspired by my father Tayeb Baker, my idol, who played a key role in encouraging me to work hard in order to achieve my goals and my dreams
HB (Hind Baker):The idea of creating this website came after I completed my studies in the United States. When I came back to Dubai, I was looking for chic and trendy abayas to wear and noted that shopping for abayas was not a very easy process. That is when I first thought of 3abaya.com because I wanted to create a platform for women globally to shop for cultural fashion that was unique and stylish.
I was also inspired by my father Tayeb Baker, my idol, who played a key role in encouraging me to work hard in order to achieve my goals and my dreams
AL:People have said it could be the next net-a-porter.com. Do you see the site in that way or are you unique?
HB:It is flattering to be compared to such a successful and well established website like net-a-porter.com. However I believe we are unique and different because we specifically cater to a market that is culturally fashion savvy. The offerings are exclusive and the website provides a more personal feeling then others.
HB:It is flattering to be compared to such a successful and well established website like net-a-porter.com. However I believe we are unique and different because we specifically cater to a market that is culturally fashion savvy. The offerings are exclusive and the website provides a more personal feeling then others.
AL:How would you describe 3abaya.com as a website?
HB:I would describe it as the next best way in the market to indulge in retail therapy. We have something to cater to every taste, from abayas to jalabiyas and so much more.
HB:I would describe it as the next best way in the market to indulge in retail therapy. We have something to cater to every taste, from abayas to jalabiyas and so much more.
AL:How long did it take you from the initial thoughts to the final product?
HB:It took me close to a year to finally be able to put all my thoughts together and start 3abaya.com.
HB:It took me close to a year to finally be able to put all my thoughts together and start 3abaya.com.
AL:Is it a local fashion based site or will you stock international labels too?
HB:We welcome all labels to take part on the site. We would love to showcase talented designers on our site no matter what nationality.
AL:How is this different to what is currently available in the UAE?
HB:We have not yet seen a website that sells luxury abayas and cultural fashion in any market here in the region, so it is a fairly new and unique concept.
HB:We welcome all labels to take part on the site. We would love to showcase talented designers on our site no matter what nationality.
AL:How is this different to what is currently available in the UAE?
HB:We have not yet seen a website that sells luxury abayas and cultural fashion in any market here in the region, so it is a fairly new and unique concept.
AL:What has been your response from people so far?
HB:The response has been extremely positive and encouraging and we are continuing to see membership numbers significantly grow on a daily basis.
HB:The response has been extremely positive and encouraging and we are continuing to see membership numbers significantly grow on a daily basis.
No comments:
Post a Comment