Meet Fahad Al Jomaiah | Owner and Co-Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fahad Al Jomaiah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fahad, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea was born during our years at university in London . Myself (Fahad Al Jomiah) and co-founder, Khalid Aljammaz were born and raised in KSA, a country with a strong heritage attached to its traditions where, for a long time, fashion primarily consisted in either traditional clothing or the contemporary ones of the big international fashion players. We felt that the country was missing an all-local streetwear brand that spoke to the youth of our generation and could endorse the change. In a sense, we wanted to fill a gap.
We wanted to create our own brand, fully designed, and developed in KSA but with an international spirit inspired by our many travels and interest in fashion and street culture.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
When we started our journey, it wasn’t easy at all. First and foremost, there was a general lack of trust towards a Saudi brand operating in the fashion space, particularly in the streetwear category. It took us time and effort to prove them wrong and show that a local brand has all it needs to break into the market and be successful. The biggest challenge was to put in place a process and a plan of action that could perform well in the market and meet the expectations of our customers. Finding the right production company was only one of the hurdles. We knew we wanted to offer a product that was of the highest quality, durable and contemporary at the same time. To do so we connected and tried many suppliers who could bring to life our product in the way we had envisioned. This was certainly the most crucial part of setting up a new fashion label and we had to learn many things on-the-go, adjusting our strategy and changing brand direction where we saw it necessary.
There have been times where the challenges were overwhelming and it was hard to keep up with the responsibilities, the deadlines and the hurdles encountered along the way. Nevertheless, every single difficulty helped us to get where we are at today. It takes steady nerves and an ability to stay focused on the goal without being discouraged by difficulties. Together we succeeded because of our common desire to bring something new in our country and our passion for what we do. Today we are proud to be called the first street brand in KSA and the most beloved in our community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A trip to Saudi Arabia must include a stop at Alula, a historic town in the Medina region in northwest Saudi Arabia, to learn about the Bedouin life. The place is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, including its towering sandstone formations, deep valleys, and desert vistas. The beauty of the landscape will astound you. Hegra, a permanent Unesco site where you may tour the city’s ruins and observe the well-preserved tombs and other remaining monuments, is another must-see.
Red Sand is a desert region just outside of Riyadh that is well-known for its characteristic red sand dunes. This is the place to go if you are into off-roading, dune bashing, or if you’re a photographer on a hunt for the perfect shot.
Diriyah, thought to be the origin of the first Saudi state, is always close to Riyadh. The Al-Turaif neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the many old buildings and sites in the area. Here, you may get a close-up look at Saudi Arabian culture while also savoring a variety of traditional dishes, crafts, and artwork.

If you’re looking to experience authentic Saudi Arabian cuisine in Riyadh you must try these:
-Kabsa that consists of spiced rice and meat (usually chicken or lamb) that is slow-cooked with aromatic spices like saffron, cardamom, and cloves.
-Maamoul, a sweet shortbread-like cookie filled with dates or nuts.
-Saleeg, the traditional -Saudi Arabian porridge made from rice and milk, often served with meat or chicken and seasoned with spices.

For drinks you can’t miss Al Qahwa, the traditional Arabic coffe. This beverage is served as a sign of hospitality and respect to guests, It is often served with dates or other small snacks, to balance the bitterness of the coffee.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
Our friends and our wonderful community that has supported us since the very beginning when we were moving our first steps in the fashion industry. We could have not made it without their continuous encouragement, inspiration, and motivation. They gave us the energy to move forward and reach new heights, playing a crucial role in shaping our knowledge and skills. They have provided guidance, feedback, and advice that helped us to develop our talents and achieve success.

Website: https://1886fashion.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_1886/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1886-fashion/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fashion1886

Image Credits
1886 collection Images by GINA SCARFOGLIERO Fahad Al Jomaiah and Khalid Al Jammaz Portrait pictures by KHALID AL GHASHIM