Perfect Harmony: Faiza Bougessa On Designing For The UAE National Orchestra’s Seasonal Debut
From talli detailing to stage-ready tailoring, Bazaar Arabia learns about a wardrobe worthy of the UAE National Orchestra’s debut season
“When something represents a nation, you design not just for today, but with an awareness of legacy,” states Faiza Bougessa, musing about her recent monumental commission, to design the UAE National Orchestra’s performance attire for its inaugural season. “I see music and fashion as very similar forms of expression, both are about rhythm, emotion, and composition.”
Being chosen by Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Managing Director of the UAE National Orchestra, to take on this mantle “was an honour,” the Algerian, Dubai-based designer tells us. A national orchestra represents culture, identity. Being entrusted with shaping its visual language from the beginning felt both exciting and a deep responsibility.”
Sheikha Alia knew from the get-go that “the Orchestra needed to feel cohesive not only musically, but visually as well. It was never simply about creating concert attire. It became part of how audiences would experience the Orchestra for the very first time. We wanted the musicians to feel unified on stage, and for every detail to feel intentional and connected to the music itself.”
The Algerian-born designer was the Sheikha’s first choice: “There’s a quiet confidence and level of quality to Faiza’s work that I’ve always loved. There’s something very composed and architectural about it, but it still feels soft and human at the same time.”
The design process too had to adapt to this new challenge, balancing aesthetics with deeply practical considerations. “Movement is everything. Musicians need complete freedom in their shoulders, arms, and posture. Comfort over long performances is critical,” says Faiza. “And visually, the garments must read beautifully from a distance under stage lighting. It is design at a very technical and architectural level.”
“Subtle Emirati codes were woven throughout, with talli detailing, a ghaf tree motif and a collar inspired by traditional Emirati chokers incorporated “without overpowering the overall aesthetic.” Another consideration was balancing heritage with modernity; “The UAE is deeply rooted in heritage, but it is also forward-looking. The design needed to reflect both.”
When asked what the biggest learning from the process was Faiza muses pensively; “Listening. Designing for performance requires deep collaboration and humility. The garment must serve the musician, not the designer.”
As for Sheikha Alia, she admits she felt emotional the first time the musicians appeared in their full regalia on stage, at a concert in Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace. “Up until then, everything had only existed in pieces: sketches, fittings, and fabric discussions,” she recalls. “But seeing it all come together on stage with the full Orchestra was completely different. What really stayed with me was that sense of unity. There was a quiet but incredibly strong sense of identity and pride running throughout the performance.”
Lead Image Credit: Portrait Photography: Efraim Evidor: Faiza Bougessa in her Dubai atelier
Images Supplied
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia June 2026 issue