She’s generous with her time, softly spoken and incredibly warm. Angela Missoni doesn’t live up to the stereotype of your average creative director, but then, Missoni, the iconic company she helms, is not your average luxury label. Ahead of cutting the ribbon on a refurbishment in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates boutique, Missoni talks success and succession.
You've recently renovated flagship boutiques in Milan and Paris and now Dubai. What's different?
They’ve been refurbished with a new direction and it’s a concept that I really love. The atmosphere is very warm, as are the materials used. We’re getting away from only using clean lines and instead using many different textures and materials. It’s a warm welcome.
So your stores are becoming less corporate and more cosy?
Yes, that’s exactly right, because we’re a cosy company.
How has your spring/summer 2015 collection been received in the UAE?
It’s already had a great run. It’s almost sold out, which is good news. Then there’s the show collection, which will hit the stores in a few days. It’s a silhouette I specifically wanted for the summer: long skirts, long dresses, turbans for women, flat shoes and big men’s shirts. The collection is as light as a feather and easy flowing. I’ve used knits, light silks and, to add structure to some jackets, trenches or vests, I’ve used the finest nylon tulle. The colours are mostly pale, with some accents of turquoise, yellow, raspberry and lavender blue.
What are bestsellers for Missoni in this region?
Dresses, in particular the ones that are transferable from day to night. The dresses travel very well and are perfect for every occasion. Of course, the kaftans sell well, too. They’re the ones I started doing almost 15 years ago and I make sure there are new ones in each season’s collection.
Who is the Missoni woman?
I like to think she loves life. She’s very busy and needs comfortable, practical clothes. She would never allow a dress to wear her. To look your best you need to feel it. For a woman to be constantly readjusting her bustier straps or pulling down a skirt that’s too short is not appealing.
Missoni has been in business for more than 60 years. Seeing as so many family businesses fail after a few generations, what’s the secret to your success?
I think it’s really because my parents “invented something” – a specific style. That’s probably the rarest thing in this business. People always ask me: “How do you manage to keep Missoni relevant?” And I think it’s because I’ve never been scared to add new lexicon to the language my parents created. For me, they’ve always been inventors and experimenters and that’s what I’ll continue to be.
Is there any truth to you wanting to step down from your role in the coming years?
No, there are many things I’d still like to fix and I’m wearing many hats besides just being creative director right now. I am very happy that my daughter Margherita is helping me on the creative side but having had one child, and being pregnant now with the second one, she’s taking some time out. Of course, my other daughter Theresa – and many others – are helping out, too, but I think there are many years to go before I’ll get to the stage of stepping down. It’s both my choice and also necessity.
When you say things you’d “like to fix” what might they be?
Ah no, well not in the sense of anything being broken, but Missoni is an old company and some sections might need attention.And when you think about what’s happened in the past 20 years – during my era – I’ve seen companies coming, revamping and going – and we are still here. We’re a very small, artisanal company and I want to assure our future in the best way possible.
You still regard Missoni as niche despite your six decades of global success?
Absolutely we are niche, but we have a big name so there are many chances to develop the company further still – albeit in a very Missoni way. So how to do that is what’s running through my mind right now. I want the brand to stay alive and be creatively productive for the next 20 years and beyond.
Visit Missoni at its new flagship store in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and at Boutique 1 outlets across the UAE
rduane@thenational.ae
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Company%20Profile
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Company%20Profile
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Jawan
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
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