The Emirati creative director and founder of the fashion label MagicAim, Ahmad Ibrahim Al Muhassin has achieved in eight months what some fashion designers try to in decades: a unique balance of strong, unconventional design and commercial success. And this at 21.
A photographer, printmaker, student and designer, Ahmad Ibrahim Al Muhassin has an ingrained creative streak – but MagicAim was born out of the most unlikely of sources. “I had this hobby where I would just book hotel rooms to stay in, take my camera with me, and take pictures of every single detail in the hotel, especially the architecture,” he says.
At the same time, he was frustrated with the lack of menswear designers in the region, particularly when it came to local designers. “I was already creating my own shirts and trousers,” he says, “so I thought: ‘Why not make something out of my hobby?’”
His collection of hotel photographs featured an extensive database of different types of marble. Inspired by the intricate patterning of the marble, Al Muhassin began printing the detailing onto fabric.
He clearly remembers his eureka moment: “It was when I photographed the Carrara marble in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers,” he says.
The unmistakable design of the white and blue-grey rock is now a cornerstone of Al Muhassin’s label. The marble is, in itself, beautiful – but that beauty is accentuated in MagicAim’s pieces, which look almost like a fusion of intergalactic patterning and psychedelic music videos from the 1960s.
The brand has now presented three collections, consisting predominantly of men’s T-shirts and classic button-down shirts, as well as scarves. Made from the finest Belgian linen and adorned with buttons from Italy, the designs respond specifically to this region’s warmer climes. From prints and patterns to branding, logo and PR, Al Muhassin is responsible for every facet of the label – and every piece in the collection is created in Dubai, at MagicAim’s studio.
Starting a fashion brand while still at university was a challenge, Al Muhassin admits. “For the launch, I contacted every single person myself and even delivered invitations by hand. It was fun but difficult doing it all alone.”
It took a fair amount of effort for the designer to convince his family that he was serious about this endeavour – winning them over with garment samples, business plans and sheer determination.
But that was not the biggest hurdle that he had to overcome. “Every company has one big bump,” is how he puts it.
“I had a pouch that held my laptop, wallet, sketch book, university papers and the business money my dad had given me, as well as my savings, which I had kept aside to start MagicAim,” he recalls. “I left it in the car and when I came back, it had been stolen.”
Al Muhassin reported the pouch missing to the police, but it was never recovered, forcing him to start again from scratch. Part of that process was finding a new backer, so Al Muhassin went to see his cousin, who runs an investment company, and asked for his help.
Now the brand’s CFO, Jassim Al Muhassin played a pivotal role in MagicAim’s progress, encouraging his cousin to contact the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development scheme, which was able to support the brand in getting a trade license and establishing itself as a fully fledged business.
This much is clear: Al Muhassin is not afraid to work with new people. Whether it’s family, fellow artists or even friends, no talent is left untapped. For the brand’s second collection, Al Muhassin collaborated with the Emirati graphic designer Fatima Al Zaabi to transform his marble photos to 3-D prints.
In addition, Al Muhassin reached out to a high-school friend to model the label’s first campaign. “I wanted to keep the Emirati touch in the brand – to keep it regional,” he says.
MagicAim's creations are currently available at the UAE-based global e-tailor The Style Chamber and on the brand's website (www.magicaim.ae). Al Muhassin is also in talks with a number of big-name department stores in the UAE that are interested in stocking his creations.
However, he insists that he’s in no rush to become a megabrand. Carefully selected stockists and a clear understanding of its target audience will be this home-grown brand’s route to success, he says. “We’re trying to take it to another level – but we’re going slowly.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
If you go...
Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.
Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Big%20Ape%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20LucasArts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20PlayStation%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
Specs
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
