Even when he had just started out, Nomi Ansari knew exactly who he was, and what the mark he wanted to make on fashion and style looked like. He may have once done an all-black collection to display that he can design and cut a good dress without colour or embellishment, but his forte - and heart - lie with sparkly pieces that can only incite delight. Take for example the delicious, spangly creations on the LSA 2021 stage, or the collection he recently showed at Dubai Fashion Week, “a capsule collection,” he explains, “because we couldn’t do more in the middle of wedding season. There was too much going on.”

Though he missed the press conference, the pre-party and any other events leading up to the show, Ansari feels that taking the time out to be present for his spot was completely worth it. he collection, comprising eight womenswear, and six menswear outfits, was well-received.

“There were people coming in from all regions, and I thought to myself, ‘why not do something different, which is my signature style?’

“So we did this very playful collection; a kaleidoscope of color and texture and sequins and crystals. I like being able to play with a variety of elements and that’s what we showed: our signature menswear, which was very well-received, and the can-can-style lehenga choli we’re known for.”

“It was really nice,” he says. The team behind the show had reached out to Ansari after thorough research, and he didn’t mind collaborating during one of the busiest times of the year for him, because of all the help and consideration he was extended. “The platform was amazing. There were people from Lebanon, India, some Dubai-based designers and some national teams. Good audience, amazing response.”

Once on ground, he found that everything worked super-smoothly, making the entire showing process a stress-free one.

“The choreographer was very nice to us. He asked me if I’m okay with the opening and closing, and within a day, we figured out the walk and the music; all the little details,” he says, “We did the background, the LED, and artwork. The press was apparently extremely excited. We were reposting things for the next 48 hours constantly on all our social media platforms.”

While Nomi Ansari has always had his international market, after his time in the local industry, he hopes to hold it up to the same standards found across international fashion runways. His most recent experience in Dubai has clarified for him the way he would like to see things done at shows at home.

“The industry has grown,” he says, “it has matured. Our sensibilities have evolved. I believe it may be time to really take next steps in other areas too.”

In Nomi Ansari’s opinion, what can be controlled backstage is keeping everything on a production line of sorts.

“[At the Dubai Fashion Week] The look created for the models was individual for my collection. And so it was uniform for all models. Everybody had the same makeup, same hair, same everything - and the same for the boys,” he says.

“They got in a seat - had their makeup done. Got in the next chair - had their hair done. Got in the next - had flowers put in their hair. Everyone looked fantastic, and was ready in 40 minutes.”

Over the years, Ansari has observed that the backstage excitement can quickly turn into a cacophony of anxiety and irritability.

“Before a show, there is always going to be nervous energy backstage,” he explains. “Emotions run high, so what you want is for standards to be set so the whole process can be streamlined.”

This doesn’t seem like a complete impossibility: these are people, about to present themselves to what can only be described as a very discerning audience with lots of opinions, and thus models at any stage of their career will want to put their very best foot forward. And it seems that Nomi Ansari - who comes across as a showman through and through - would be the perfect person to drive this approach.

“You know what my style is - and this is personal: I like embellishment and bling and glitter and layering, and that’s what brings it all together. Once you combine these elements, that’s when you get a real Nomi Ansari.”

And we believe that his approach, at once playful and so very structured, would be interesting to see translated to the layout of an actual show.

– This is a developing story