Have you ever wondered what some of your favourite female figures get up to each day? MOJEH’s A Day In The Life series follows some of the region’s most influential female movers and shakers, from business owners and entrepreneurs to fashion designers and art gallery owners. This week we’re talking to Laura Mancini, fashion designer and fashion creative director of Middle East Fashion Week.
I wake up at…
I’m definitely not a morning person. I wake up around 8:30-9:00am and I hate my morning alarm clock.
I try to force myself to go to bed early, but unfortunately, it doesn’t happen that often.
My morning routine normally consists of…
I drink a glass of warm water with my vitamin tablets as soon I open my eyes, followed by a Lungo espresso coffee to wake up and a light breakfast based on fruits. This is followed with 30 minutes of Buddhist meditation to organise my day and then I’m ready to go. I’m lucky to live in Dubai right now because I can start the day without a rush, since the time zone is different to Europe.
I’m responsible for…
As a fashion creative director of Middle East Fashion Week, I take care of creating all the fashion content, ranging from build-up of the venue to coordinating fashion shows, models, casting, fitting, music and backstage.
As a fashion designer, I design eco-sustainable capsules for international brands that are made in my home country of Italy, as well as bridal dresses, haute couture and made-to-measure gowns for international brands that are made in Italy.
I have a passion for designing and producing fabrics starting from the raw material.
My typical day…
I am fully immersed in phone calls and emails from Europe to organise production, then I start my Dubai day, which involves social media checks, attending meetings and team coordination at our office. My days in my Dubai world end up with PR dinners, events or simply meetings my friends.
The Laura Mancini go-to working wardrobe consists of…
Dresses, dresses and more dresses! I can go from a sporty outfit to a gala dress, but the dress is definitely my favourite item.
For lunch I eat…
A light lunch based on eggs and avocado or eggs and vegetables. I love the Brazilian farofa, so I add that to my lunch every day.
What I love most about my job is…
Creativity, trends setting and inspirations. I love when the fabric becomes a dress and the model makes the dress come alive.
I also love when I have a vision that becomes reality, especially when I imagine the fashion show of a collection I designed myself.
View this post on Instagram
And what I enjoy the least is…
The hours are very long and I always give everything to my work, sometimes I miss my family and best friends.
The Laura Mancini beauty look for the 9-5 looks like…
It’s all about my hair and my skincare. Handmade coconut oil for my hair and handmade aloe vera serum for my skin, all made in Brazil.
When I get home I…
Can’t wait to wear my eco-friendly swimsuit to go to swimming in the pool. This is my favourite time of the day, I’m lucky because we have a wonderful and huge swimming pool in Dubai!
View this post on Instagram
I couldn’t live without…
Music, I love all kinds of music. I go from classical to house music, with pop music pit stop in between.
When I feel stressed I…
I chant my mantra: Nam Myoho Renge Kyo… My Japanese Buddhist practice has been with me for more than 10 years, since I lived in Los Angeles.
If I wasn’t in my current position, I would be…
A singer. I have a strong a deep voice and I love to perform on stage. I do feel it’s a shame that I never studied for it. Shallow is the song that I like to perform…if only I could find my Bradley Cooper!
Read Next: A Day In The Life Of…Mona Kattan
