In a city as cosmopolitan as Dubai, where the street style is a kaleidoscope of nationalities, the question of identity often takes center stage. This afternoon at the Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion, that conversation moved from the coffee shops to the main stage. In a session that resonated deeply with the diverse audience gathering at the Grand Atrium, fashion and lifestyle influencer Maram Zbaeda tackled one of the industry’s most nuanced subjects: “Cultural Codes in Contemporary Styling.”
Zbaeda’s masterclass was less about the mechanics of dressing and more about the narrative of identity. In an era of fast fashion and homogenized global trends, she argued for the importance of retaining cultural distinctiveness. Her talk, titled “Cultural Codes,” explored how modern fashion enthusiasts can weave threads of their heritage into contemporary silhouettes without the result looking like a costume or a caricature.
The influencer guided the audience through the subtle art of “blending.” She demonstrated that cultural homage doesn’t always need to be loud or traditional; it can be whispered through specific textiles, jewelry layering, or color stories that hold local significance. Zbaeda championed the idea that a truly modern look is one that acknowledges where the wearer comes from while embracing where the world is going.
For the regional audience, the session hit a particular nerve regarding the fusion of modesty and high fashion. Zbaeda illustrated how global trends—often dictated by Western runways—can be reinterpreted through an Eastern lens, creating a hybrid aesthetic that feels both internationally relevant and authentically local. By the end of the hour, the takeaway was clear: in a world of uniform trends, culture is the ultimate accessory that cannot be mass-produced.
Beyond Borders: Maram Zbaeda Explores the Delicate Art of Cultural Fusion at Dubai Mall
Maram Zbaeda discussed cultural codes in contemporary styling at Dubai Mall.
