Often referred to as a "Fashion Princess" Deena Abdulaziz reigns over a fashion empire at her boutique D'NA in Saudi Arabia. Within D'NA, a lifestyle retail space, she narrates her special affinity for style with bespoke creations that bridge the gap of east meets west influences. With offerings and inspirations from Behnaz Sarafpour and Christian Louboutin, Martin Margiela and Veronique Branquinho, as well as a bevy of other names that boutiques around the world scramble to include in their tally, Abdulaziz is on the path to redefine the fashion world's idea of Saudi women. Her pursuit of all things beautiful curates the museum-like store combining art, fashion, furniture and education of the western world in an environment which is at the same time exclusive and inviting. A pioneer in her own right, and true "passe par tout" Deena's travels around the world for the search of all things unique have made her a fixture at the Paris, New York and London shows. Her constant desire to expand her horizons for all things of beauty, she is one of the few in the world to have a Christian Louboutin shoe named after her, makes her a choice muse to many.
The principal aspect of my style.
Although it sounds a bit odd, my style can be characterized as Audrey Hepburn on acid. I love the element of classic design and the “lady-like” look, but I can’t do it literally; so it has to have an edge to it. This, taken with a cross between Audrey Hepburn and Edie Sedgwick is what I love and what I adore. My favorite eras in fashion are the 50 and 60s, which embody true glamour. I recently saw this old Lana Turner movie the other day, "Madame X" and all the costumes are done by Jean Louis; this kind of world of “Hollywood Glamour" and old aesthetic with a modern twist is what defines me right now. I do change, but it’s this aspect that attracted me to fashion in the first place.
The quality that I desire in a shoe.
Obviously, that it is flattering and that it makes the foot look more attractive. I think that's the most important quality. I would say “high heels“but that would be an untruth because I love wearing ballerina slippers and gladiator sandals- which I find really chic.
The quality that I desire in a bag.
Well, the quality in a bag that is most important is that it must be hand-done correctly or done beautifully; and the finish must be amazing. I think that’s most important for a bag. The other thing that might attract me to a bag that is not as high quality is that it might be funny or have a sense of humor. For instance while attending runway shows, I was wearing this bag that everyone loved but it was very inexpensive. It was a very cheap bag and it’s beaded and it has a pistol on it and is made by this company called Seven Minutes. It’s amazing because every time I would speak to someone they would say something like "don't point that pistol at me.” So a bag that is fun or that is a conversation piece or more generally that's well made are the two qualities I look for most. I don't like the idea of logos, that doesn't sit well with me.
What inspires me most.
In life, beautiful things and beauty. As a child I discovered that others shared the same inspiration when I opened my first issue of Vogue, and I was happy that other people shared my view--you should have seen my face. I feel the same way about a beautiful space, a beautiful painting, beautiful baby, and beautiful dress. I feel like it’s about ‘chicness.'
What I appreciate most about my closet.
The stories behind each piece that I have. For instance, I have this really beautiful green Lanvin dress that I got before I was married and I was going to wear it for my engagement party. In my country, when you are engaged you receive a very nice piece of jewelry or set,and of course I didn't know what color that necklace would be that I would receive, and I didn't know what to do. Unfortunately at one point, I had got another dress with several colors that would work with any type of jewelry, but this Lanvin dress had fond memories because I picked it for this special moment in mind--it was made by a Brazilian designer that designed for Lanvin at the time, Ocimar Versolato, I remember there were only two dresses in the world made of this dress. I have one and someone in Germany has another.Vintage, also, means a lot to me- for example, if I wore something in my honeymoon. A pair of suede Gucci pants comes to mind as well, that I purchased for my wedding trousseau, because Claudia Schiffer wanted to same the pair but there was only one--it has very giddy, one, because I had them and second because I had a pair of pants that Claudia Schiffer fits into. Little anecdotes like these make me appreciative of my closet.
What is your dream purchase?
So many things. There is a pair of rock crystal cuffs that were made for Gloria Swanson for Cartier.Yes, I would love to have those bangles. Another thing, there is a house in LA that has been photographed in a lot of editorial (The Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22), it’s an all glass house --I'd really want that house.
What is your dream fashion purchase?
Always, anything couture by Azzedine Alaia is a dream. I have been privileged to have a few of those dreams but I'd like to have more.
Whose style do you admire?
Barbara "Babe"Cushing Mortimer Paley, Truman Capote muse, Jackie Kennedy in the Onassis years
The city where you live.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Your favorite color.
I have a lot of favorite colors, I love yellow. I love pink. I love black but that's a given. I love colors and specific shades of color, hot pink, lemon yellow, cobalt blue.
The scent or perfume that I like.
Lipstick Rose, Frederic Malle because it reminds me of my mother's lipstick and I use to want to want to eat off her tubes as a child ; Fleurissimo by Creed that was commissioned by Prince Rainier for Grace Kelly as her wedding gift and the smell of cupcakes as well anything that's baked.
My favorite authors.
Dominick Dunne, Gabriel Garcia Marquez , Anne Rice, and Dr.Seuss
My favorite stores.
10 corso como in Milan,Colette when it first started, L'eclaireur in Paris; in NYC it’s a hard one, Ilike Barney’s, Bergdorfs, Kirna Zabete ; London Dover street Market, in LA of course,Maxfields
My heroes in fashion.
My mother is my first fashion influence, growing up I was mesmerized by her. My heroes in fashion are thepeople who dared to be different, someone like Azzedine Alaia doesn't care what people think and doesn’t care that it is with the times and he designs for what makes him creatively satisfied. This is a hero to me and the fact that hedesigns and stitches every seam in the clothing makes it even more interesting. After knowing him, I learned about most designers rely on their team, and he does not, which makes him my favorite designer. Cristobal Balenciaga also had this philosophy and I admire in doing what he would do in his aesthetic and doing what he wanted. Tom Ford got on with what he did and was very successful inwhat he has done. In design, a hero is someone who influences a range of many things after them.
On the retail end, Joan Weinstein, Sarah Lerfel and her mother, Colette Roussau, Lindsay Dresner, Carla Sozzani,my store D'NA in Riyadh is homage to these women and how they showed a different side of fashion and new retail option and giving them another perspective on fashion and style.
Diane van Furstenberg, is a big hero to me she inspired me when I met her before I opened my store I told her I had married my prince and had my children and I said "what do I do I now?"--and she told me "now you start your business". So succinct and true. She is someone who has done it and has done it her way. She is someone that makes me feel like I can do it as well and accomplish my goals.
My favorite music.
Lots of favorite music, I can do anything any where they only thing I have not been accustomed to is country. My favorite artist of all time is Sade but then I was just listening to Vampire Weekend and I thought it was awesome. It’s like finding beauty in anything and it falls into music--it’s like art and it what I react to and what moves me.
My heroes in real life.
My father is my hero. In addition, single mothers raising their children to anyone who are making a change in the world are also heroes. People who are doing something that don’t need to be named those are true heroes.
My style heroines in history.
Cleopatra, Marchesa Luisa Casati is he was simply amazing and rocked her time, Daisy Fellowes did a lot of great things and she dressed the way she wanted to and did it her way. Of course, Helen of Troy must have had great style. I also can't forget Mrs. Howell III from Gilligan’s Island, she also had great style.
My favorite designer.
Azzedine Alaïa, I'm an Alaïa girl and he designed my wedding dress. I love him. My favorite designs through the scope of history have been Charles James, I’d love to own every piece from him—this, ranging from James Gallanos, he did amazing pieces, to some Balenciaga which was gorgeous, Dior for some periods, YSL in the 60s, Courreges--There are so many favorites. Dressing for me is like playing a role and those designs inspire me. For more contemporary designers, I like Proenza Schouler, I think what they are doing are cool, I like Giles Deacon , Maison Martin Margiela is a favorite because its intellectually and thoughtful without being too alienating.
What I hate most of all in style.
Diana Vreeland said it best: "Vulgar is always better than boring" I can't forgive anything thathas no effort; and I also I don't like denim.
What is the city where you feel most at home .
New York.
My present state of mind.
Content, I'm very happy.
My style mantra.
"More is More “I don't believe in the less is more thing and I’d like to borrow from David Hicks who says this "Style is what you do , it’s how you do it."