A Candid Confab With the Ingenious Rafik Zaki

The job of a fashion designer nowadays conjures up pictures of supermodels on international catwalks, allure, fortune and everything extravagant. Although glamorous events and infamous names are a significant part of this profession, there is a lot more work that goes into being a successful designer. They are expected to create, identify the trends, shape the silhouettes and transform them into a ready-to-wear collection. Rafik Zaki is one of the very few designers who made an all-out effort to distinguish himself from the crowd and establish a unique persona.

Possessing an aspiration to be creative at whatever he was destined to do, Zaki flew to Milan, the capital of fashion, and studied for a year in a pattern-making course post graduation, after getting a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business. Being the self-reliant man he is, Rafik built a showroom in his grandmother’s residence. As he displayed his first collection with all fourteen designs, it was a complete hit in 2011 and sold out in no time. His second collection was no different; it was another bold statement in the industry that showed there is no such thing as luck, only relentless effort. Fast forward a few years, he launched his third collection in 2015 at the Meridian Hotel, comprising thirty-three pieces of boldness, edge and vivid color.

What do people need to know about fashion design as a career?

As much as I love it and it is fun at times, it’s not as easy as it seems. It needs a lot of hard work, and is incredibly time-consuming. It’s a full-time commitment and can get extremely hectic. You need to be super passionate about it and be prepared to give it everything.

What is the most challenging aspect of it?

To achieve the perfect balance between the business and the creative side. Additionally, you have to put together a sturdy team to guarantee the success of your brand. Always aiming for tasteful designs to attract the majority of people isn’t easy as well. It’s crucial that you create your designs from your mind and with your own style in a way that will also suit the liking of most people. In other words, people should be able to trust your mind and creativity, and that you will always create what works best for them.

How would you describe your signature design?

I always strive to make a woman feel powerful and confident through ruffles and cinched waists through our figure-hugging corsets that feel like a second skin, all-pulled together with the neatest stitching and sharpest cuts.

Do you believe in designing with a certain client in mind?

Yes, of course. I always work towards having my dresses be custom made for the client – meaning they’re one of a kind, specially made for them. I never make the same dress twice, and that’s something I can guarantee.

What is your ultimate goal in such a competitive industry?

To expand more not only in Egypt but globally as well.

Any upcoming projects?

There are a few things I’m working on, one of which is expanding to new locations and areas in Cairo, hopefully very soon. I’m also working on some new collections that I’m genuinely excited to release very shortly so stay tuned.

Any advice for potential young fashion designers?

You need to be highly creative and talented because this is extremely vital when you have to constantly come up with new, fresh ideas. Learn and master the art of fashion because having the proper base does help a lot. Also, carry a notebook at all times to write everything down (and not on your phone) – it’s the key to success.

This or That:

Formal or casual? Formal.

Colors or neutrals? Neutrals.

Denim or leather? Leather.

Vintage or trendy? Trendy.

New or thrifted? New.