The Zay In My Closet

"The Zay In My Closet" A Call to Designers & Creatives from across the Arab Region to open up about what is in their closet. Is there a dress you wore to Eid when you were younger that holds a special memory? A piece of Jewelry from your grandmother you would like to share its story? Let’s discover the Tangible & the Intangible together.

Through your wardrobe, we will get a further understanding of your heritage, culture, and traditions, whilst sharing a spotlight on the local talent in your country. Please join us & show your support of sustaining Arab Dress Culture.

We are so excited to be joined for the 1st episode by Alaa Balkhy.

Alaa is a Multidisciplinary creative working in the intersection of design, culture, and fashion.

Born in Jeddah and raised in Montreal, the serial entrepreneur works as a cultural consultant, art director, and illustrator. Jetting between NYC and the Middle East, she’s garnered an impressive resume, collaborating with Cartier and Netflix, launching her own fashion label, and being the force behind an ever-growing and game-changing global database of Arab creatives.

In this episode, we take a closer look into Alaa’s heritage and background, her personal dress style, and her signature look. As a representative of her generation, Alaa shares with us her views about the traditional dress, traditional vs modernity, and how can the traditional be sustained for future generations.