Basma Al Faris
The Journey of a Young Entrepreneur Balancing Modesty, Fashion, and Ambition
Basma Al Faris, a remarkable young woman of 22, is making her mark in both the fashion and business worlds. Living between Iraq and the UAE, Basma is the co-founder of the Simy and Otely applications, a dentistry student at the American University, and an influential voice in fashion and lifestyle. Her journey, which began at 17 with a fashion boutique that quickly gained popularity in her home country, has grown to include an international following. Balancing the roles of student, entrepreneur, and influencer, Basma is dedicated to inspiring other young women to pursue their passions without compromising their cultural values or personal goals.
Basma’s love for fashion runs deep, driven by a belief that style is an expression of the soul. Reflecting on her early days, she explains how her passion for creativity, self-expression, and connecting with others led her to launch her boutique, which became a stepping stone to where she is today.
This journey, she notes, is about more than selecting beautiful clothing—it’s about choosing pieces that truly resonate with one’s character and inspire others upon first glance. In terms of inspiration, Basma’s journey has been shaped by her admiration for other iconic figures in fashion. She names Dima Al Asadi and Lydia Millen among her favorites, crediting them for the distinctive style they bring to each look.
Their influence, Basma says, has taught her valuable lessons about the power of personal touches and the lasting impact of unique style. Basma is especially drawn to modest fashion, a style choice that reflects her cultural roots while allowing her to creatively interpret modern trends. Modest fashion, she explains, is not about following every passing trend but about selecting elements that feel authentic to her.
She curates her wardrobe with timeless pieces like long skirts, loose clothing, and blazers that are versatile enough to create elegant looks while staying true to her values. For Basma, modest fashion has grown into an international movement that offers endless possibilities for personal expression, elegance, and sophistication.
On social media, Basma stays true to herself, sharing not only her fashion insights but also glimpses of her life, studies, and beauty routines. Her followers appreciate the honest, relatable content, which she approaches with a commitment to authenticity. Although maintaining this level of transparency is increasingly rare in the digital age, Basma believes it is essential for building genuine connections.
Through her posts, she has cultivated a community that values not only her style tips but her openness about the challenges and realities of her journey. Balancing her personal life with her social media presence has been a challenge. Basma understands that social media only offers a curated snapshot of her life, and she is mindful of maintaining boundaries. She notes that, while social media requires her to convey a certain image, her real life is, naturally, more complex.
Basma makes an effort to remind her followers that life has its ups and downs, and that it is perfectly okay not to have everything figured out. Basma’s advice to women is to be true to themselves, to pursue their dreams, and to remember that health and a strong mindset are key.
She encourages women to express themselves through fashion, seeing style as a form of empowerment. Her goal is not just to inspire beauty in the conventional sense but to show that women can simultaneously study, work, and be influential.
Looking ahead, Basma is excited to focus even more on fashion, which remains her first passion. She has hinted at exciting new collaborations that she is confident her followers will enjoy. With her commitment to promoting modest fashion and inspiring other women, she hopes that more brands will recognise the value and uniqueness of modest pieces.
Basma Al Faris is more than just a fashion influencer; she is an embodiment of ambition, balance, and purpose. As she continues her journey, she aims to leave a lasting impression by encouraging women to embrace their dreams and stay true to themselves. Basma’s story is a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and authenticity—values that are certain to carry her far in the world of fashion and beyond.
