Fyunka is an Arabic influence on the genre of astute fashion industry in the Kingdom. Young in its inception (a year old) and created by Alaa Balkhy, Fyunka, which means “bow” in Arabic, has taken the fancy of many in the city. As the Jeddah-based fashion line comes under the limelight, it has outdone itself with great art and marketing tools.
The line is prototype to being honestly Arab yet also inspired by high end labels. You can see the designer has played with totes, matched it with Hermes and even splurged on the element of fun as she takes on to social media with videos and photo shoots, exploring her genuine creativity.
Balkhy majored in graphic design but admits it was perhaps designed by mistake.
"I wanted to study business because everyone thought that design didn't have a future. I never got accepted, so I went to Dar Al-Hekma and just chose graphic design. I wouldn’t change it for the world."
Working since she was 18, she told Arab News: "I was in my sophomore college year and I balanced two jobs with college. So, I guess time management was always important." She also worked for Sotra boutique, learning from the local leading fashion brand in the Kingdom before she created her own brand.
Arab News spoke to the young bloomer in Jeddah's fashion sphere.
I was born in Jeddah, but I grew up in Montreal and left when I was nine years old. My cultural jumping around different cities in different schools was interesting! I went from a private school in Canada to a public school in Saudi Arabia and then back to a private college in Jeddah.
For Fyunka, I really want to expand the product line. I mean I started out with tote/bags and then went to purses, clutches, T-shirts and notebooks. I really want to design textile prints and design my own line with lots of prints and simple cuts!
I want to be an influence and inspiration to people.
Can a person dream? My favorite designer has to be Lanvin! But let's be realistic, I'm at the moment fascinated by Kate Spade.
Satchels and plastic shoes! At least to me! For colors, Tangerine Tango was chosen as the pantone color of the year!
Too much make up! Just don't. Also don't overdo it with brands.
Earrings! For something so small, they make such a difference. I always say carry a pair of heels around in the car. You never know! And a watch!
My collection was about creating an anti-status it bag! The new collection has a few new prints and some different cuts and shapes of bags.
The Jumbo Chanel canvas bag.
It wasn't really easy. I always kept thinking: If I could drive, everything would be so much easier! Having to deal with drivers is tedious.
Basically I thought about it, as I look within the environment, we see a lot of luxuries and some people think it defines them. So, I thought why not take an “it” bag, illustrate it and print it on canvas and not leather. Everyone can spot a Constance or a Birkin or the classic Chanel.
These are the bags to have, at least from what I've seen. You can spot more than five classic Chanel bags in one social event in Jeddah. So I thought of creating a playful twist to designer handbags.
I started blogging in 2009 and stopped for a while. I went back to it in 2011 and now it's been active for a year!
I hope I can always blog and always have something to blog about. I try to focus on local fashion/lifestyle/businesses in my blog.
Expressing and introducing brands to my reader. I don’t really write much in my blog. It’s mostly visual, but I try to add a caption here and there.
I always get inspired after I travel. I haven’t been to that many places, mainly Dubai and Beirut. But everything inspires me from Art galleries to theme parks to candy shops!
Balkhy chose to free herself from the 9 to 5 job contract. Now, she blogs, runs Fyunka and tweets. That's right, another Twitter addict in the house.
A pop culture enthusiast with a mind of her own, the young entrepreneur is on the rise.
So, are you the Fyunka girl?
