“The most beautiful thing that a woman can wear is confidence, that later shapes her life and encourages the success she wants to achieve”, – says Gulnora Baravia.
Popularly known as @gulnarbravia on Instagram with a massive following, Gulnora Mukhedinova, also known as Gulnora Baravia, is a beauty and fashion icon, International Peace Ambassador and the Founder and CEO of Baravia Beauty Center and Baravia Fashion. She launched her high-end Baravia Beauty Center in 2015. Following her success in the beauty industry, she later launched her own fashion boutique named Baravia Fashion in 2018. Gulnora’s accomplishments are the reason why she’s so powerful and successful as she is today, and her applaudable talent bagged her the Kotinos International Award, a collaboration with the United Nations International Charitable Organization and the World Sand Foundation, for the best fashion designer for 2018. The same year, she was also recognized at the CATWALK International Fashion Show held at the Palazzo Versace Dubai for her luxury collection.
The inspiring designer’s interest in fashion and beauty began in 2005 where she dreamed of making a name in the Arab world. But it wasn’t until 2015 that she further decided to set up her first business in Dubai. Popularly known as Baravia Beauty Center, her high-end full service salon is dedicated to provide excellent service using premium quality products, providing the ultimate customer satisfaction. While her Fashion brand, Baravia Fashion, quickly turned into a leading fashion house in the Gulf amidst intense competition. It offers both ready to wear and made to order unique and stylish wedding/elegant evening dresses and casual dresses, with new unique collections being released each season and presented at different fashion shows across the gulf Including Arab Fashion week, Catwalk International, Fashion League Series, Catwalk International Fashion Show Dubai Edition and International Fashion Week Dubai.
Born in the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan, Gulnora Baravia is a mother of three and currently resides in Dubai. She also has a very active blogging life besides her businesses. Through her Instagram, she represents collaborations with photographers, lifestyle shoots, luxury cars as well as luxury trips around the world, to name a few. She’s known as the ultimate fashion icon in the Gulf. Gulnora’s confident outlook and steady business perspective has made her the entrepreneur she is today.
Having recently introduced her latest Baravia Fashion’s 2020 collection called “Space Star” at the 10th edition of the Arab Fashion Week Dubai, Gulnora Baravia stated, “We are taking the Haute Couture this season to a whole new level, our imagination has no limits, and indeed it reach the space this time.”
The space themed collection was presented at the runway virtually, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
We had the pleasure to have a conversation with Gulnora Baravia and find out more about her and her life.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a mother of 3 wonderful kids and an entrepreneur who have a great love for fashion and beauty.
When did you realize you wanted to make a career in fashion/beauty?
I’ve been a full time mom before for almost 5 years. I love being a mom but I had this feeling that there was something missing in my life. That’s when I figured out that I wanted to have a career. The longing or my personal, career growth and my passion in beauty and fashion made me open up my own business. And it’s been a long time dream to open a fashion and beauty house.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
I actually get inspired by everything I see. If I walk on the streets and see people, the nature – trees, flower in bloom; by the movies I watched and from those I set an image in my mind and put to work.
What was your first experience in styling that sparked your interest?
Actually even before I started my fashion and beauty business, my passion was really in styling, but what geared me more is when I joined a lot of prestigious fashion shows. It was a challenge to design luxurious, elegant and glamorous dresses for all times and occasion.
What advice do you give to young designers?
It takes a lot of courage, hard work, patience and sacrifice to be in the fashion industry. Never give up! You may fail many times that’s for sure but do not be discouraged, just keep on trying until you get what you want.
Why did you choose to set up and establish a business here in Dubai?
I decided I want to make a name for myself across the Arab World as far back as 2005. Aside from being a resident here which is a great advantage, Dubai offers a great opportunity in fashion and beauty because it is based in the luxury capital of the world.
Please tell us a little bit about your new collection and the inspiration behind it.
My previous collections were mostly evening dresses. Now I want something casual that my clients can use for everyday wear. Because of the pandemic that we are facing right now, there are no events so it will be more practical to create clothes which are more comfortable, relaxed and informal which can be used every day.
Is there a specific goal you have through your designing career? Or do you find yourself following what you enjoy and growing creatively that way?
My ultimate goal is to see faces of every woman who wear my collection with smile and complete satisfaction. So, whatever design that applies or fit them that will make them happy, then I would stick to it.
You have a huge following on Instagram, how did you build it up?
At first, it was just my past time to post on Instagram, just my way of connecting to old friends. But since a lot followed me, I enjoyed doing what I’ve started. And also I want to inspire people.
Do you think your Social Media presence has helped in growing your fashion brand as well as your salon?
Yes. Nowadays social media is very important to our life and every company/brand who wants to build its name should be up to date with the latest social media tools. Customers want an easy access and could be easily influenced by what they see in social media. Social media plays a big role in my business as a way for promotion and brand awareness.
“We are taking the Haute Couture this season to a whole new level, our imagination has no limits, and indeed it reach the space this time.”
What is your favorite “day off” look?
I am very comfortable and relaxed using my casual wears like jeans and shirts.
Who is the biggest inspiration of Gulnora Baravia in the industry?
Coco Chanel. I got inspired by her story and how she strived and became known all the way from humble beginnings. Chanel was indeed the founder of an ambitious start-up and there is a wealth of lessons to be learned by following the threads of her path of fame.
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