Syrian born textile design icon Omar Ponsot is in most (if not all) of the little black books held by fashion conscious sheikhas and locals in the UAE.
Local or not, if you’ve got a little money to spend, Ponsot is your man of the racks when looking to wow a crowd with your wardrobe, and that’s because he’s been living and breathing the fashion business for over a decade.
“I started designing dresses in 1992 as a freelancer while still studying National Economy and Planning, and eventually realised that I enjoyed making dresses more than putting together economic strategies,” he explains.
So after graduation, Ponsot started work as a professional fashion designer in Kuwait. Success quickly followed as he set up shop in Dubai in 2000, collaborating with Jupon Couture as an art director. In 2003, he launched Omar Ponsot couture. With a CV like that, naturally the launch of his own atelier in Al Ain followed, and he now calls the garden city home.
So what’s life like for a reputable fashion designer? Ponsot takes Abu Dhabi Week through his typical day.
6am: Up for an early start, Ponsot gears up for his morning ride at the Palm Sport Resort. “After brushing and grooming my horses, I saddle them up and take each for a 35 minute ride. Then it’s back home for a quick shower and a family breakfast.”
9.30am: Arriving in the office, he meets with the morning staff to explain all the work ahead of them. Then, with coffee in hand, he checks his emails.
10.30am: “I start sketching some new ideas for my afternoon appointments, which I usually get briefed on by my wife – also the atelier sales executive – Tamara.” Inspiration comes easy to the designer: “Anything could be an inspiration to me when the mood is right for designing – a great movie costume, old fashion magazines, video clips, even circus outfits could be a trigger for ideas – but mostly pretty women, they are the greatest muse of every designer. Luckily we live in a multinational country where we can enrich our fashion taste with many different cultures and costumes.”
1pm: Ponsot works two shifts a day, so the atelier closes in the early afternoon. “That gives us some time to refresh and restart with new spirit in the afternoon. During my break I hit the gym for about an hour and a half – it’s a good way to make up for the lack of physical work involved in my job.”
After a quick nap, Ponsot focuses all his attention on his little boy Al Laith. Then, showered and refreshed, he’s back in the office.
5pm: “At least 30 minutes spent reading is a must for me every day – I need to fulfil my desire for knowledge and keep up to date with the latest news and trends in fashion.” Appointment after appointment follows until well into the night, with a few coffee breaks and phone calls to his wife in between. “I need to check in because my wife meets with various VIP clients at their homes and palaces throughout the day to discuss ongoing orders and special design requests. “The house clients are mostly local and regional ladies, and some of the royal families in the UAE and the Gulf. However, we have expanded our customer range to include Western and other Middle Eastern ladies. Basically, any woman seeking a unique and elegant dress is a client of Omar Ponsot couture.”
9.30pm: Ponsot finally switches off for the evening. “Al Ain is the right place for relaxation. Besides the equestrian club at the Palm Sport Resort, there are great five-star hotels around the city that provide the perfect end to a long day. I sometimes spare an evening or two during the week to ride at the club and prepare myself and my horses for competitions, if there are any. Otherwise, I like to take my family to swim and spend some quality time at one of the local hotels.”
Final thoughts: “Being a fashion designer is a true joy. As a creative person, my job is quite challenging, but one which brings motivation and fun to my life. Once you choose to become a part of the fashion world, style becomes a permanent part of your life.”
