Mouza Aldhaheri On Never Looking Back, Foregoing Perfection, and What Being A Mentor Means To Her
Mouza’s abaya brand, Mauzan – founded by her mother, Rafia Bin Drai in 1990 – has paved the way for her to become a mentor defined by her commitment to craft, artisanship and beauty
Vacheron Constantin’s One of Not Many Mentorship Programme is a humbling example of what happens when a luxury maison gives back, thinking outside its traditional remit and into something truly wide-reaching and meaningful. Launched six months ago, the house brought together six Emirati women of phenomenal, multi-faceted skills – Alia Al Shamsi, Hala Al Gergawi, Latifa Al Gurg, Salama Al Shamsi, Noora Shawqi and Mouza Aldhaheri – for a scheme that would take six young female Emirati students from Zayed University under their wing, culminating in a six-month internship at either Vacheron Constantin or another Richemont maison.
The spirit of entrepreneurship runs deep in the UAE, as does talent and tenacity. Here, Bazaar celebrate bringing that all together for a bright, beautiful future as Mouza shares her thoughts on never looking back, foregoing perfection and what being a mentor means to her…
Do you have a fond memory of Vacheron Constantin that pre-dates the mentorship programme?
Absolutely. As a luxury fashion-brand owner, I always had a love for the sense of innovation, artistry and the combination of excellence and exclusivity that is in every piece created by Vacheron Constantin.
Why was it important to you to become a mentor in this scheme?
It’s really important, as knowledge is always an investment to young, inexperienced professionals and it’s important to pass on what I know to the next generation in order to inspire their career.
What is the importance of having a mentor and what does being a mentor mean to you?
The importance of a mentor is to learn from someone who has walked the path before you. Mentoring, to me, means to watch my mentee go forward in life – that would give me great pride.
What’s the best piece of advice a mentor taught you?
Never look back, as the business environment has a lot of challenges. Many people will start copying you, but this should never hold you back – you just need to move forward and focus on your success.
What was the most valuable lesson you’ve taken from your mentee through this process?
She taught me to support new generation of youth, and to contribute more to mentorship programmes.
What does the luxury industry in the Middle East need to build on in order to continue to thrive?
In my opinion, in order to build the luxury industry in the Middle East we need to become creators on an international scale of ‘Made in the UAE’, as there is a lot of talent in the younger generation.
There are still many negative narratives and stereotypes to describe ambitious and assertive women. How do we overcome this?
We were always taught by our culture, and with the support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, to empower Emirati women by being ambitious and by becoming accomplished, as well as being the equal partner of the men in the building and in the development of the UAE nation.
What are the three most important pieces of advice you want to teach your mentee?
To accept advice and critique, to believe in yourself, and to be positive.
How would you sum up the mentorship programme in three words?
Opportunity. Challenge. Connection.
What personal skills do you think you bring to the mentorship programme?
Commitment, negotiation and creativity.
What is your definition of female empowerment?
Being able to transform culture and tradition and never see it as a barrier to achieving your dreams.
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Fear is sometimes something that stops us in our tracks. How do you believe we can overcome fear of trying something new or speaking up?
Don’t try to be perfect.
Your label, Mauzan, was one of the first to create couture abayas for evenings and events. Tell us more about that…
Back then in 1990, my mother, Rafia Bin Drai started the brand because she couldn’t find any abayas in the market to complement her style and her couture dresses.
Tell us about the capsule collection of abayas you designed for the project and your inspiration behind them all…
The capsule collection was inspired by the Égérie collection, and we created every piece to complement the style and craftsmanship of each timepiece.
You’ve said you had little guidance when you started out. What did you learn from that?
I’ve learned from basically every person in the factory as I was rotating through every department at the company. I’ve learned the worth of each and every worker at Mauzan as well as how detailed and specific each job is.
Mouza wears: Égérie Delf-winding Watch in pink gold, Dhs151,000, Vacheron Constantin. Dress, Dhs500; Shayla, Dhs200, both YNM
Editor in Chief: Olivia Phillips. Art Director: Oscar Yáñez. Fashion Director: Anna Castan. Photography: Greg Adamski. Make- up: Charlotte Tilbury. Manicure: Sisters Beauty Lounge. Styling Assistants: Shahira Hossameldin and Anusha Hattalmakki. Producer: Elle Hutchinson. Studio Manager: Johana Dana
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s May 2021 issue
