‘His simplicity stole my heart’

Nuha talks of life with veteran men’s wear specialist Fauzul Hameed:

“His simplicity made me say `yes’ to him,” says Nuha, the smiling wife of Fauzul Hameed who still maintains his simplicity despite being the most popular and veteran men’s fashion designer in Sri Lanka cum Managing Director of the famous `Hameedias’.

Clad in his uniquely branded `FH’ shirt which was creaseless, and done exclusively for `him’, and a pair of black Denims, Fauzul posed for a photograph with his family for the `From the Spouse’s Mouth’ column.

The celebrated fashion consultant had to be advised to get himself into a more formal wear which he followed quite obediently thus proving his flexibility to adjust to any walk of situation in life.

The village boy who was born in Aluthgama, still feels the `pulse of the common people’ which has adequately helped him to cater to exclusive brands, with his unique talents, business instinct and vast cognizance that has streamed from his soul to international fashions.

`Le Bond’, `envoy’ and `Signature’ , the three brands introduced to the fashion market by this lilliputian designer managed to prove his colossal vision and the fortitude to battle with any fight in fashion both at local and international level.

His unquenching thirst to do something exquisite is the secret formula that has been adding to his success, elevating his family business to men’s top textile business in Sri Lanka. The Superbrands International rewarded `Hameedia’ with its best awards for the excellent performance in business in 2006, much to the pride to Mother Lanka.

Marikkar Raffeedeen Fauzul Hameed was born on March 26 as the third of three sons and three daughters of Alhaj Raffeedeen and Sithy Johoara Raffeedeen in Aluthgama. Fauzul who was a born mischievous lad, however showed his talents in fashions since he was a kid.

His never ending mischievousness made his Baba (his father) to decide to enter him to the Zahira College hostel in Colombo thinking it would help his second son to get disciplined. However, little Fauzul never let his in born energy to be shifted. Sports; soon became part of his life.

The school hostel life was providing him more opportunity to excel in sports. Cricket, Football and Hockey; all three sports he excelled and captained.

“He played Cricket for Moors Sports Club earlier. Football has been his passion and still is,” says Nuha recalling how Fauzul could end up playing one sport even for the National team. But, his Baba’s wish was to see all his sons to be in his family business. So, Fauzul let his Baba’s dream come true.

Fauzul entered Isipathana College for A/Ls in the Commerce stream. But, more than into studies Fauzul’s interest was moving into fashions. The trousers he wore with many strings, buckles and belts hanging won the highest surprising `crazy vote’ of his friends.

Fauzul was wondering what had happened to his four- five newly stitched trousers which he got done for himself especially for the `Big Match’ season. Once the Match was over the trousers were gone, too.

“Aney Machchan, those trousers are fantastic. You can get a new set stitched at your father’s tailor shop. Let us keep them,” would be the plea of his somewhat affluent school mates. In an era where uncommon fashionable clothes were rare the trousers which Fauzul got his tailor to sew for him were considered really unique.

Fauzul made friends with both Muslims and non Muslims. Some of his very close buddies are either Sinhalese or Hindus. He has been everybody’s `Machchaan’ since he was a teenager.

“He is quite liberal,” smiles Nuha zooming back to the past. “I first met him at Hotel Oberoi, at a function arranged for the models and fashion designers, somewhere in 1985. I was doing a bit of modelling at that time,” she laughs.

Fathima Nuha Navavi Hameed was born on August 9, as the second of two daughters and two sons of Sayed Navavi and Zoor Jahan. Nuha was an athlete and an extremely energetic teen who had leadership scopes in every aspect.

“I was in the A/L arts stream when I got the chance to join Air Lanka. It was my childhood dream as well. I modelled for Senaka Senanayaka for a short period. Later I joined Gulf Air and was based in Bahrain,” she continues.

Question: Is it somewhat surprising to hear that a pretty lass like you urged from an extremely orthodox community moved into such challenging professions?

Nuha: Hmmm... It was a challenge. Thanks to Allah for giving me the strength and providing me the chance, and thanks to my parents who were really broad minded over it. My mother once told that she would not have fear even to send me in the midst of thousand men.

She trusted me that much, and so I worked according to her wish. I was a Tom Boy, I would say, as I used to ride my Scooter as well. I was an Air Hostess from 1989 to 1994, until I got married (laughs).

Question: How long were you friendly with him?

Nuha: Believe me, nine and half years (laughs). We too faced the common problem from families as I was working as an Air Hostess. He had to struggle that long to get his parents’ consent. I’m proud to say that, by now I’m the best `daughter’ of my mother-in-law (laughs), and she is a gem of a person too.

The long episode of love in her life began hurting her so that she told Fauzul’s family to find a better bride for him as she thought she was not the correct partner they were seeking for him. Though sobbing deeply in her heart Nuha continued her work at Gulf Air in Bahrain.

She was going to end her nine and half years love... But, suddenly a telephone message from home was a turning point in her life. “Nuha, It seems your father’s condition is very critical. They expect you to go back to Sri Lanka soon as possible,” said her room mate. Nuha after confirming it with her mother, immediately took a flight down to Sri Lanka.

She was surprised to see Fauzul at the Air Port. He had come to fetch her home. Everything and everybody seemed calm and normal. And no `halu bulu’ was taking place as she expected. Even her Baba who was sneezing with a slight cold, looked perfectly alright.

“Nuha, darling, we’ve already arranged your wedding. This has dragged on too much. In three days time you’ll be a beautiful bride,” her Mama declared Nuha became stunned. Her bridal wardrobe including jewellery and wedding cards were lying beside her. “Why didn’t you inform me?” she asked. She wanted to plan her wedding with Fauzul. Then she made up her mind only to focus on to her profession. And now, all of a sudden something unexpected was taking place. Her dejection had made a great impact on both families. Everything was arranged even before she was asked to return home.

Cladd in an ill-fitting saree jacket and a off-white Kanjipuram saree which were stitched without her measurements, Nuha sat beside her ever green lover Fauzul on January 27 in 1994, and let her relatives carry on the wedding ceremony customs. “Other than pretty Nuha, Allah had no other `maid made’ for Fauzul,” thought Fauzul’s mother when giving her blessings to the new couple while wiping off a tear.

Two daughters, Najath (14) and Habiba (11) and the son Mikail (9) are the three angels Allah has blessed them with. “Fauzul was an extreme workaholic from 1985 to 1995. He was dedicated to his business and worked for 12 to 15 hours per day,” reminisces Nuha. Fauzul follows the foot steps of his ancestors. `Hameedia’ was first found by a paternal uncle of his father in 1924. Fauzul’s father who hailed from Beruwela took it over in 1949. (His mother is from Aluthgama). `Hameedia’s first shop on eight hundred Square Feet at No.58, Galle Road, Wellawatte, a property belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church at Wellawatte now stands as a place with historical value to their business. `Hameedia’ has now expanded to 15 branches Islandwide with a foreign branch at Spency Plaza, Chennai. The small outlet in UK is yet to be revived. So, `Hameedia’ is catching up not only the locals, but also in International fashion market as well. In addition, `Wrangler’, `adidas’, `Rugby’, `Lee’, Raymond’, VanHeusen’, `Arrow’ and `Louis Phillippe’ are the few affiliated international brands Hameedia deals with.

Poverty was the only qualification required to get a job under Fauzul’s Baba (father) whose generation still carrys the family custom by treating their subordinates well and with respect. Today the business consists the strength of 900 employees at their tailoring factories, sales outlets, designing and marketing divisions.

“He is confident of his local business. We have been the suppliers for the Sri Lankan Cricket Team over the past 20 years. Apart from that we had sponsored many clubs, Air Lines, shows, National leaders, top diplomats and film actors in tremendous numbers. We generally produce 200 coats per day. Fauzul has taken measurements of the First Citizen of this country from President Premadasa to the present President Mahinda Rajapaksa for their attire. He has given full suits free of charge to many National sports teams from time to time. In that way he has been rendering a great service to this country. But, he does not just take the credit only to himself, but to his whole team,” explains Nuha.

“Fauzul is a perfectionist with sharp eyes so that even a tiny dot would not escape from his `magnifying eyes’. Around 5,000-10,000 customers go for his unique designs done exclusively for each individual,” she claims. “Fauzul has divided his diary into many sections; Production, Designing, Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations cum Charity. He is very methodical and a perfectionist. He has a lot of creative ideas that gushes over,” says Nuha.

Fauzul who has done a few fashion designing courses, has been following many International workshops. His next step would be to follow a month course in `Fashion Architecture’ in the States. Fauzul would change any personality with his attire. He would make a man 10 years younger in his appearance. `Everything for men under one roof’ is his theme. `Clothes and True Gentleman’ would be the process, Fauzul hopes to get going next. “Most probably this service would be rendered as a package with his top buddie beauticians in the field. He believes that it’s a must at present, as many grooms spend through their nose for the wedding attire, but neglect their appearance. Unlike a bride who would be having facials one after the other from the day she is engaged, a groom rarely thinks about how he would look,” explains Nuha.

Question: Fauzul as a husband?

Nuha: Great! I’m very happy to be his wife. He is very tolerant and far thinking. But, business is his first wife and I’m the second wife (laughs). He is very concerned about our children, and it is his wish to bring them up in a moderate family background which we have come from. He let them move about with commoners as he believes the root of life lies there. Both charity and sports are his forte. He is the Chairman both at the Board of Governors and the OBA of Zahira College, Colombo.

Question: Hopes for the future?

Nuha: He is worried about our country. As top businessman he feels the devastation cause in the economical development due to 20-year-old on-going war. Like India, Fauzul wishes one day we would all get together and rise up as `one nation’, and would call ourselves not as Muslims, Hindus and Sinhalese, but only as `Sri Lankans’. He loves this country, and that’s why he tries his best to promote our own Sri Lankan brands in the international textile market.