Think old Hollywood glamour in a modern world. That’s Mahtab Jamali.
The British-Persian designer dresses Middle Eastern royalty and celebrities like JLo, Eva Longoria, Mel B, and even musical legend and fashion icon Googoosh. And her list of inspirational women is just as impressive, working with Raha Moharrak, who was the first Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest.
From private clientele which boasts russian business women, mayors and diplomats, and some of NASA’s smartest women, HER Magazine wanted to know how did Jamali reach the closets of some of the most powerful females in the world?
“Every woman who wears a Katayoon dress physically experiences a transformation towards the extraordinary, and that’s my goal,” Jamali tells us.
Her designs are elegant and timeless, inspired by the strength, grace, and beauty of a woman.
Access our Winter 2017 issue, featuring Mahtab Jamali for free here
Katayoon London which means Queen of the World is sold at some of world’s most prestigious stores and boutiques like Harvey Nichols, Khirzad Australia, and House of Fraser Abu Dhabi to name a few.
“When I look back and see what I started off with, a designer who started from zero with nothing but a dream, and see where I am today, I feel extremely proud,” she says. Jamali founded her luxury fashion house at a young age, but her passion for fashion began at just 4 years old. Growing up, she remembers being surrounded by beautiful and colorful fabrics in her mother’s workshop.
“Design has always been a key aspect of my life; my mother Katayoon is an phenomenal designer whose talents have been a major influence in my life. Fashion is embedded into my soul,” she says.
This is how it all began. Jamali started off creating designs and then studied Fashion Design at University. She is also a University lecturer and has taught design to fashion students.
Creating a fashion empire of high-end luxury evening wear and runway designs takes a lot of skill and hard work. It’s no secret that fashion is an extremely competitive industry. Breaking through is a significant accomplishment, but it’s also difficult to maintain and sustain a fashion line. Jamali is not only Katayoon London’s designer and creative director, but also the face of her own brand.
Even though she grew up in a house of design, Jamali had to learn what it takes to own and run a business on her own. “I grew up around scientists and artists. I didn’t have a business background. Neither did my parents, nor was I surrounded by any business minded individuals,” she says.
But success leaves clues.That’s why Jamali dedicated her time to learning everything she could about the industry. She read books to learn about business, went to business conferences and watched what other entrepreneurs did to achieve success. “Some of the most successful people in the world that have achieved more than most people achieve in a lifetime and are elderly in age, yet they still work like when they were in their prime. There is no giving up or slowing down in their mindset, and they are constantly giving themselves new targets to achieve once the previous one is met,” she says.
One of her new goals is working to launch YOON, a sister brand that will focus on high street designs and styles.
“I see myself carrying on and reaching for my dreams and creating new ones forever; it doesn’t matter what age I am, it doesn’t matter what my circumstances are, as long as I am waking up and I am striving and working towards them, I feel like I am making it,” she says.
HER TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Believe in yourself and others. “You should always be open to learning from others,” she says. “It’s great to bring in fresh ideas and fresh minds into the design process.”
Stay true to your brand. “Create a brand for yourself that allows people to look at it and know that is linked to you,” she tells HER magazine.
Maintain a healthy and positive mindset and never stop learning. (She is currently learning Spanish.) “I love the beauty of different languages and feel that having basic knowledge in different languages opens so many barriers that restrict communication between others,” she says.
