Laila Aziz is the creative designer for her multi-cultural fashion brand Kayat Design. The company designs modern-day outfits for women across the globe.
Aziz’s designs were featured in Vogue’s 2018 “Autumn/Winter Ready-To-Wear” collection. In 2020, Kayat Design’s Summer-Spring collection was featured in Arab Fashion Week.
Big name celebrities have flaunted Aziz’s designs including Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Zendaya, and Selena Gomez.
Laila Aziz style gains attention from celebrities
Aziz was inspired to launch her own brand, Kayat Design, after attending an awards event with her husband RedOne in 2008. RedOne won an award and Aziz received an overwhelming amount of attention from celebrities who loved the dress she had styled herself.
“I started with creating a small collection initially, but it was only from 2013 that I launched my own collections formally twice a year and then there was no looking back,” said Aziz.
She married Moroccan musician and producer RedOne, whose real name is Nadir Khayat, in 2009. The couple moved to New York after their marriage. There, Aziz took a one-year course in fashion design. She started working as a stylist upon the program’s completion.
“RedOne is my number one supporter and I am more known in Morocco as his wife, but unfortunately, this doesn’t help in the fashion world,” she remarks. “No one in the fashion industry knows I am married to RedOne!”
Laila Aziz pursued law before fashion
Aziz was born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents in 1981. She loved fashion while growing up. The young designer dressed with her own sense of style and often sketched original outfits.
“Without really knowing what a fashion designer was, I would try using different designs and patterns on my clothes.” Aziz recalled. “It came so naturally to me that my parents thought it was just a hobby, but somehow I never got bored of it.”
While Aziz wanted to pursue fashion design, her parents directed her to study law instead. It wasn’t until after Aziz’s marriage that the couple moved to New York and she was able to study fashion.
“I studied law, because unfortunately in Moroccan culture we don’t really see fashion as a real job,” she said. “It’s definitely another passion of mine and it molded me into the person that am today!”
Laila Aziz draws on her Moroccan background
“Morocco was a very inspiring place where I could get my ideas out since I could go to the tailor and make my dream caftan a reality,” Aziz said.
A bright red caftan-inspired piece with gold embroidery at the Vogue 2018 “Autumn/Winter Ready-To-Wear” runway.
“My biggest inspiration is absolutely from Morocco – just walking around in the old cities, seeing all the colors, the hand-made carpets, and the beautiful embroideries.” elaborates Aziz. “I especially admire the vintage Moroccan Caftan, Art and embroidery.”
A light green dress with silver embroidery from Kayat Design’s Spring-Summer collection. It was among those showcased in 2020 at Arab Fashion Week.
“I like to start styling from scratch, which is why I buy plain fabric and do all the beadings and sequins my way as I am also very fond of jewelry. My collection always has some or the other form of gems and crystals used on them,” Aziz explains.
Peruse more of Aziz’s inspired designs here.
