Zeena Zaki (born 1/1/1974) is an Iraqi

haute couture ''Haute couture'' (; ; French for 'high sewing', 'high dressmaking') is the creation of exclusive custom-fitted high-end fashion design that is constructed by hand from start-to-finish. Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, Paris became th ...

fashion designer Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture. The term implies a look defined by the fashion in ...

. She launched her first fashion atelier in

Dubai Dubai (, ; ar, دبي, translit=Dubayy, , ) is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the 7 emirates of the United Arab Emirates.The Government and Politics of ...

, the

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...

in 2003, where her fashion house operates under the label "Julea Domani", an epitome of both Edwardian and Victorian fashion eras which prove popular amongst the UAE's fashionista's.

Personal life

Born in

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

, to Iraqi parents, Zeena and her family moved after two years to travel to

Romania Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...

then to

Kuwait Kuwait (; ar, الكويت ', or ), officially the State of Kuwait ( ar, دولة الكويت '), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the nort ...

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...

and then the Emirates. Zaki came from an artistic background. Her father, an interior designer who designed two of his own restaurants in Dubai and

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

, and her mother was involved in the fashion industry as a designer and so Zaki learnt from her and did not attend university or college to study fashion. She cites

Elie Saab Elie Saab ( ar, إيلي صعب; born 4 July 1964) is a Lebanese fashion designer. His main workshop is in Lebanon, with additional workshops in Milan and Paris. He started his business in the early 1980s and specialized in bridal couture (ex ...

and Valentino as her favourite designers.

Career

Zaki launched her first collection at the Dubai World Trade Center in 2006. After viewing her designs at the world trade center, the international fashion expert, Michael Mandeville commented, ''"I wonder no more, it is enough to know that Zeena is the daughter of the oldest civilization in the history of mankind, Mesopotamia, Iraq, rising up at this time from beneath the ashes of this cradle of civilization. We can now see Iraq starting to shine again."'' Since 2007, Zaki has participated in The Bride Show Dubai and in 2009 was awarded Best Female Designer for

Prêt-à-Porter Ready-to-wear (or ''prêt-à-porter''; abbreviated RTW; "off-the-rack" or "off-the-peg" in casual use) is the term for ready-made garments, sold in finished condition in standardized sizes, as distinct from made-to-measure or bespoke clothin ...

at Dubai Fashion Week. Having opened a showroom boutique in Palm Strip Shopping Mall, Jumeirah, Julea Domani's popularity furthers in growth. She held her 2010 collection at Dubai Fashion Week. In 2015, Zaki branched into the United States where her dresses have been worn numerous Hollywood celebrities on the red carpet.

References

External links

Zeina Zaki (business) website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zaki, Zeena Living people 1974 births Designers from Copenhagen High fashion brands Iraqi women fashion designers Iraqi expatriates in the United Arab Emirates Emirati women artists Iraqi contemporary artists Iraqi women artists Danish people of Iraqi descent Iraqi emigrants to Kuwait