Interview with Kage Designer Basma Abu Ghazaleh

Basma is a Palestinian Emirati who was born and raised in Dubai. She graduated from  North Eastern University with a BS in sociology and a minor in Communications. She later spent 6 months in Paris exploring before moving back to Dubai.  She loves the creative world and always appreciated art, but it was not until 2009, when she and her partner at the time both decided to leave their jobs and embark on a new journey.  They traveled to London for inspiration brought back fabric rolls and accessories and the KAGE  brand was born.  

Your greatest inspirations or influences?

Inspiration comes naturally and can’t be forced. I can stumble across anything that can inspire me. At times, it’s a random thought that triggers my imagination and I find myself designing pieces in my mind. For Fall16 , 3d fabrics mesmerized and inspired me so much that I designed the collection based on special prints. For the latest SS17 collection, a 1980’s Cartoon captured my mind.

Challenges of starting your own fashion brand?

Keeping up and working ahead of schedule is key and most challenging in the fashion business, which is a fast-paced, cut throat industry. It’s also a very competitive business so making sure your brand is constantly evolving is very important. You need to be different and innovate, stick to your brands aesthetic and tell a different story with every collection. You hit rocky roads and everyday is a new challenge but it’s all part of the learning process.

How would you describe your latest collection and do you have a muse in mind when you begin the creative process?

While designing, the KAGE girl is always top of mind. She is a girl who loves to explore and doesn’t take fashion too seriously. She prefers an understated approach to dressing. We focus on creating easy-to-wear pieces, while remaining effortless and cool. The playfulness of life is translated directly into the designs.

For Spring/Summer 2017, KAGE delves into and presents a refreshing new perspective on summer dressing. Inspired by acclaimed television cartoon series from the 1980s, Rainbow Brite, the collection dubbed ‘Chasing Rainbows’ introduces a burst of color to wardrobes. This modern and chic collection comprises of contemporary and distinctive silhouettes in pastel colors.

Favorite websites or instagram handles ?

• Instagram handles: Nowness - Facehunter and Another Magazine

Fashion icons in your opinion?

This probably sounds cliché but Karl Lagerfeld is my number one. He is an artist, a photographer and the genius behind the world’s biggest fashion houses. To design for three top brands whose aesthetic is so different makes his creativity endless.

Anything else you would like to share?

I'm excited about the new KAGE e-commerce website . You can finally purchase a KAGE piece from anywhere on www.bykage.com