Brother and sister Fahad and Shouq Al-Marzook talk to MOJEH.com about the meaning behind their sought-after accessory brand, the importance of innovation in the design business and their creative philosophy.
Who is behind Marzook?
Fahad Al-Marzook is the Creative Director, while Shouq Al-Marzook is the CEO of the company.
How did your brand come about?
Marzook is a name that identifies both of us as brother/sister duo and represents our ancestral business drive and the modernity of our combined styles. Fahad handles the creative side of things and I completely trust his judgement about what our next collection will look like, just as he trusts me with the direction I foresee for our brand.
What is fashion for you and what does it mean to be fashionable?
Fashion is about expressing your identity, showing who you are. It’s an art form dedicated to the creation of style. To be fashionable means to express your personality through your style.
Accessories can make or break an outfit.
Fahad Al-Marzook
Why did you choose accessories as a medium to express your creativity?
Accessories can make or break an outfit. You can dress up or dress down depending on your accessories; they identify your look.
What inspires your designs?
Fahad always finds inspiration when he travels. We will be sitting in a coffee shop in Paris or an art gallery in LA and he will look over to me and say, “I know what our next collection is going be!” As for myself, I love to read about anything and everything really, from history to art and architecture.
Tell us about the meaning of the circle.
The circle is a profound, transcendent symbol. It is said to represent the cycle of life, completion, inclusion, heaven, eternity, and the universe. Marzook expresses the interlocking creative relationship of our brother/sister duo through the intertwined double ‘O’ letters. For any partnership there needs to be a certain level of trust and respect. Fahad and I completely trust one another’s idea of what we want our brand to be. We are dependent on each other’s decisions and we rely on one another for support.
What is the importance of innovation in a business context?
To be an innovator within the fashion industry you have to create something new, a new silhouette, for example or something that is not available on the market but it is also something every woman would want to get her hands on. The idea of the circle came to Fahad before rebranding the company. He thought of his previous collections and realised that the style he had designed which stood out the most was the one of his circular clutch – which was smaller and more on the oval side at the time. The circular bags represent our bond together as brother/sister and the identity of Marzook.
Shouq Al-Marzook carries a custom Marzook creation during fashion week with Fahad.
What were the biggest challenges you’ve had to face in the process of launching your brand?
The biggest challenge we’ve faced is the element of the unknown. It is difficult for any new artist or creative to make his/her dream happen easily, as you have to understand every aspect of the business: logistics, branding, marketing. The easiest and most fun part is creating and design, but all the other elements that make up the components of the business are the difficult part. Plus, there really arent any guidelines on how to succeed as a designer, you have to work hard – believe in yourself and your brand.
The most important things to remember when working in the fashion industry today?
To be an innovator, not an imitator. That is the single most important thing about design. You want to create a new silhouette or a new design that is not available in the market otherwise you have nothing to offer.
What makes Marzook different from any other accessory brand and unique?
Its eccentric spirit. Marzook gives a new, fresh luxury perspective on accessories.
