by Leonore Dicker
 
From being born in Riyadh and raised in Amman to having studied in London and currently residing in Dubai, Ayah Tabari has always been immersed in different cultures. The cosmopolitan designer went ahead and created Mochi – a bouncy embroidered clothes & accessory line, handcrafted by local artisans– that reflects, celebrates and embodies culture.
 
Leonore Dicker met up with Ayah Tabari to pick her brain and hear her thoughts.

 
Mochi is a brand that seems to be highly inspired by culture. You’ve actually even designed a special Kaftan line for Ramadan. How important would you say culture is in fashion?
Very! I love designing pieces that suit the seasons in Dubai so right now designing some Kaftans –especially for Ramadan– made perfect sense.
 
Has fashion always been your calling? 
Funnily enough, I actually studied Business but I’ve always been drawn to fashion!
 
How much does traveling impact your designs? 
I have to travel for every collection so I think it definitely does influence me in some way. Seeing new places and meeting new people during my travels is always interesting and inspiring. I always come back with new ideas. 


 
What was your most memorable trip?
I visited Croatia with my family and it was so beautiful, they have some of the best beaches that I've ever seen!
 
Your line is rich with tribal and ethnic influences.  Will you continue to explore various folk patterns in future collections? 
Yes of course, that's the whole point of Mochi's concept!  Every season I travel to a new destination to source my fabrics and then design looks based on the fabrics. I specifically choose countries that are known for their embroidery and local artisans like Jaipur and Thailand. 
 


Have you always been drawn towards embroidery and stitching? 
I've always been into unique items. I especially like bright and bold pieces, as they really make an outfit. 
 
Your designs are extremely colorful – which colors do you wear most? 
I can't really say I wear one more than the other.It really depends on my mood of the day!
 
How do you plan on celebrating Eid?
I'm going to Marbella with my husband and family for a few days. 
 


Are you more of a beach girl or a city girl?
I'm definitely a beach girl. I absolutely love chilling by the beach with friends & family and zoning out. 
 
Do you plan on expanding? 
I'd love for Mochi to be known internationally. I just launched my website online, which was a big step. I like to take things day by day, so let’s wait and see!