Mohammed Sultan Al Habtoor, an artist turned philanthropist has regularly been named as one of the most influential trendsetters in the Emirates. His work has received critical appraise and attention on a positively global scale. An army officer and student of political science, Mohammed's highly visible forms of situational art ("I'm Karl's Next Muse", "Leave Lamees Alone", "No Cash, No Oil", etc...) have managed to spark national debates, influencing social opinion in a place considered to be highly conservative.
You're a man who comes from different walks of life; both military and philanthropist? How has this shaped your views and outlook?
Absolutely, Being a military officer commissioning from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and serving in the National Army of the United Arab Emirates Special Operations Command has definitely made me realize the value of life and thought me discipline. My Philanthropist role in this very society is based on my up brining, from a very early age i was always thought to give back in any which way that i possibly can, and i really wish to be able to do more. The path that i have had in my life has basically shaped, reformed and refined me into becoming the man you see today. My journey had many obstacles, trials and errors which play a huge part in the success that i have had into becoming the product that i am.
When it comes to statements on politics, news or current affairs, the key is timing and grace. Whilst you seem to have this down to a 'T', is it due a gifted talent, or wisdom you gained through experience? Have you ever felt a statement was a mistake?
I have never really been political at all to begin with. This is basically an urban legend that the MEDIA has created and analyzed in defense to themselves since i took the current MEDIA affairs that i read and saw in the news and chose to defend these affairs based on my opinions where i felt needed for corrections. On other parts I sugar coated these affairs to obtain some humor in the seriousness.Although i thank the media very much for having believed in my product and took it as harmoniously as intended. Everything i have learnt today reflects my work, be it talent wisdom and in some cases luck. I do believe that i have a following because i reach out to people and they respond and this is where my story has started right from the beginning.
Aaah the infamous blog. I actually started that because i was bored and had so much content i wanted my friends to be aware of. It seems to be one of the media's most sought after website in the meantime as i have been getting endless emails about it and everyone wants to write about it and feature it and have me contribute to what they are doing. I honestly started that in January to keep a diary for my friends who constantly want to know what i am up to, where i have been, things that i see and like, events that i attend and so on. But i seem to have lots of people who logon and check it out which to me is very exciting. There is not outcome really, just another mean of entertainment of my day to day travel plans, music that i listen to, luxuries that i enjoy and want to have.
At the moment, i am enjoying my t-shirts with my business partner and childhood dear friend considerably as sister Tamara Al Gabbani, and there is so much more to come in the near future but lets keep the surprises coming as we continue in this path.
Would you define House of glaMo as individual & unique, mainstream, or eccentric to the n'th degree?
To be honest with you, nothing these days are individual unique mainstream or eccentric until they become iconic artistically. All inspirations start somewhere, one way or the other as history is constantly repeating itself. My icon and association is "No Cash, No Oil, Who cares? Dubai Loves you". People to this day bring it up in reference to me and my country and the crisis we have faced. Its becoming like the iconic "I LOVE NYC" from New York. As i have explained earlier it may have somewhat played a part in what "house of glaMO" could have recreated.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
My inspirations come from what catches my eye, a memory, family, friends, surroundings and last but not least my adventurous and daring life. I tend to relate to my 5 senses.
A definition of a movement that cannot be precisely outlined, how would you characterize the word fashion?
Fashion is a DNA, almost like a vaccination which develops each to their own once implanted in your system. You can not classify it as anything as it differs to each individual. But then again by other means, fashion is a lifestyle, a luxury and a form of art. You are your definition of fashion.
There's a hype, admiration and a good amount of financial damage caused by high fashion, from catwalk to personal incorporation how is that done in the region?
I do firmly believe that there is some much more to work on, actually much more than anyone could think. The best way to do this is to take this particular industry more seriously and learn from the mistakes that have happened in the international market, have more government endorsements and above all to have key players to make it work.
Is fashion culturally different in the West to what is now seen in Dubai? Can the two be merged? After all, if our appearance can be used to describe our personality, and this in turn may be a product of our society and upbringing, can fashion be ultimately used to bridge cultures?
Fashion has bridge cultures historically. Right from the start with trade from East to West. This is common facts and logic. A lot of the subjects we see on the international catwalks start off from a mood board, a seed that has come from a historical background and developed into the garments we see everywhere. The late Alexander McQueen is a prime example as he has always brought back history in his catwalk shows from Japanese Worriers, to Grecian Princess's, to Indian and Arab influences not to forget the Victorian silhouette and the corset. Take handbags for an example, it is a daily signature the unifies the world. Its just a normal yet extremely important accessory and everyone carries a bag. What we see in Dubai these days is exactly what we see anywhere else in the world, it is fashion driven yet maintains and embraces its traditions and cultural values.
The t-shirt plays an important and significant role in our everyday life. With or without expression. It is an item of comfort, be it with or without anything on it. Its a personal choice of the individual to decide whether they are wearing it for a cause, to support a certain message, to grab attention with a message of their own, for fashion or even in some cases as a uniform or under garment. There are endless reasons of course and i only named a few. I chose the t-shirt to convey a message which reach out and it entertained everyone yet also has a beneficial value that educates viewers has a design and artificial aspect behind it.
Dubai is a relatively young city of many dimensions making its mark in the world with it's culture, society and politics. As an internal onlooker would you say the images are accurately illustrated or is there a vast misconception?
It is somewhere in the middle. Nothing out there is complete.
Do you feel as though Dubai is a product of the outside world, or a creation of it's own desire?
Dubai is certianly a bit of both, but as you said earlier in your above question it is new and people tend to forget that the United Arab Emirates is only 39 years old! So it has created its own wonders of the world yet resourced many things from the outside world. This to me is success and history in the making. I ask you if you can name any other country that has developed itself as quick as the U.A.E has and i will give you free t-shirts for life.
Does a trend really evolve with public acceptance into something new, or is it just re-hashed from one previous style to another?
I said this earlier and will repeat myself. History is always repeating itself.
As a trendsetter within your society, how and when does a brand stand out, To yourself and within your environment?
A brand will only stand out if i can relate to it.
With so many mediums of communication, how do you stand out?
With my individual style and the way i carry myself.
Modern technology takes you around the world in an instant, why does it remain key to have geographical advantages?
Geographical advantages are a real experience where you can use all of your 5 sense.
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