Meet the First Kuwaiti designer to show at Paris Fashion Week

Designer Montaha Al Ajeel was the first Kuwaiti to show at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week, leading to international acclaim.

In just six short years, Al Ajeel has put her mark on the fashion world via her high quality haute couture dresses and Ramadan jellabiyas.

Her critical acclaim preceded a number of awards in the Arab world.
She was honored with the International GR8 award in Dubai – one of the more prestigious businesswomen awards in the Middle East.

“The awards in fashion are earned and not (handed out)” said Al Ajeel, who added that she felt “proud” to represent Kuwait internationally.

Al Ajeel has become a role model in her own unique way, first by providing fun and fashionable clothing for conservative Muslim women, and second by breaking into the international fashion industry.

“Montaha is different when it comes to fashion, she focuses on modest designs,” stated Yousef Al-Jasmi an established Kuwaiti fashion designer, adding that the fashion world could use input from a rising Middle Eastern fashion icon.

Al Ajeel majored in business administration in Kuwait University, but always had a sense of imagination.

As a student she wore clothes that she designed, until finally deciding to produce her own brand.

“One day I listened to myself and felt the creativity that was within me, and wanted to share it with the world” she said. “A designer must have self-confidence, persistence, and determination in order to succeed.”

After graduating, Al Ajeel searched to find her niche in the fashion industry. She began by opening the store Ramadan Jallabiya in Al Tilal complex – which, as the name suggests, focused on robes designed to wear during the festive month of fasting.