ALIA BASTAMAM, Founder of Alia Bastamam

Lip Power Shade: 405 Sultan

“I feel beautiful when I’m well-rested, and I’ve got a good lipstick on!” Alia Bastamam confesses with a laugh. A vibrant woman who marches to the beat of her own drum, she discovered her raison d’être as an eight-year-old, enamoured with her grandmother’s vintage sewing machines. Inspired by the women around her, she grew into one of the nation’s leading fashion designers.

Alia Bastamam launched her eponymous brand in 2010, focusing on made-to-measure creations from its Atelier and Bridal lines. Growing and evolving, the brand has found its niche in luxury ready-to-wear with specific attention to resort-centric designs. An avid entrepreneur, Alia later ventured into numerous collaborations alongside launching a sister label called ALIA B to cater to a broader customer base with accessible and affordable designs. Gaining many accolades throughout her journey, she is confident her life’s work is on the right track.

“It is a ritual to say at least one nice thing to myself each day. At the same time, I acknowledge the areas that I need to improve on. In a way, how I treat myself reflects how I treat the woman I work alongside. I value creating a constant flow of empowerment,” Alia mentions. The young designer believes self-empowerment is key to understanding your identity without another defining who you are and how you should act. “In my line of work, I don’t make my designs wear the woman – I create looks to make her feel beautiful.”