Getting Dressed With Amina Muaddi

“Feminine, cool and luxurious,” is how footwear favourite Amina Muaddi describes her designs, ones that have seen the likes of Rihanna routinely sporting her sparkling creations. But where shoes might have (literally) got her foot in the door, she’s now turning her hand to accessories, debuting a brand new collection of highly covetable bags. In celebration of the launch, we look back at that time we hung out with Amina in her Beverly Hills hotel suite, where she shared her thoughts on everything from inspiration to procrastination…

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Describe your route into design?
I’ve been obsessed with shoes ever since I was a child. I moved to Italy when I was 16 with the dream of one day working in fashion. After high school I studied at the European Institute of Design in Milan and afterwards I started working as a fashion editor. I was 25 when I decided to start my shoe company so I moved back to Italy and I spent three to four days a week for one year in an area near Venice renowned for the shoe trade. That’s where I learned everything I know about shoes and where I started my first brand, Oscar Tiye.

What do you most enjoy about your job?
The part I love the most is seeing my prototypes for the first time. That moment when what I envisioned becomes reality makes me the happiest.

What drives your creativity?
Everything that captures my eye or gives me a strong sensation inspires me; different cultures, people, art, books, theatre, cinema, nature, clothes - especially when I work with Alexandre Vauthier. I love travelling, so that’s a major source of inspiration.

Describe your shoes in three words?
Feminine, cool and luxurious.

How do you waste time, when your schedule is clear?
I believe time is not wasted if you’re doing things that are good for your soul. My schedule is never clear but I am a professional procrastinator. I think I get a high from working under pressure - my phone is my biggest distraction.

If you could do anything without fear of repercussion, what would you do?
I already did all of that in my 20s, ha! Perhaps, when I feel exhausted I’d drop work and just travel somewhere.

What song do you listen to when you’re getting ready for a night out?
I listen to hip hop and soul music mostly. Anything from Rihanna.

What is your perfect night out?
At this age, a night that doesn’t result in a hangover the next morning.

Who is your go to designer for eveningwear?
Alexandre Vauthier, of course.

What would we always find inside your bag on a night out?
My phone and portable charger, lipstick or gloss, credit cards, house keys and chewing gum.

Heels or flats?
Heels, obviously!

If you could dress anyone, who would it be?
There are so many women I’d love to dress. As I am half Jordanian and I admire her, Queen Rania of Jordan. Oh and I would have loved to have dressed Elizabeth Taylor, she was so fab!

Who is the coolest person you know?
Malala Yousafzai.

What is the last dream that you can remember?
I hardly ever remember my dreams. Those rare times I do, I tend to interpret them as the ultimate revelation about my future. I remember this old dream I had where I was running from the street into a secret garden filled with beautiful butterflies that were all perfectly placed on the grass and I felt completely at peace staring at them.

What would you like to change about the world?
If I focus on the negative, I’d change a lot of things. Racism, women’s rights in the Middle East (and not just there), violence, world hunger.

What would you change about yourself?
I would love to be more calm, organised and punctual.

Describe yourself in three words?
Creative, fun, curious.

The best advice you've ever been given?
My mom taught me not to expect anything in return from my good deeds because it will come back to me from other places.