As fast fashion went global and took over the world, it left a carbon trail of environmental stress, uneven quality, and fragmented supply chains. Now the industry is at a crossroad, and it requires leaders who not only understand the art of product development but can reengineer systems to be smarter, cleaner, and future-ready. Being creative is not sufficient; understanding how to transform such creativity into scalable, sustainable, and profitable realities makes a difference. The most prominent example of such a leader is Parvez Ahmed Peshimam, a Fashion veteran of repute with a career spanning three decades in the industry. Parvez Ahmed Peshimam is not just a name in the realm of fashion, he is a force shaping its very fabric. A celebrated author, consultant, and art enthusiast, Parvez has carved his place as one of the most respected voices in the industry across GCC and India. With decades of experience bridging creativity and commerce, he is known for blending timeless elegance with modern innovation, ensuring brands honor their heritage while embracing the demands of an ever-changing market. As the author of acclaimed works like Behind The Fashionable Drapes and Between the Seams, Parvez has taken readers beyond the glitter of the runway to reveal the untold stories of designers, artisans, and visionaries whose dedication breathes life into fashion. His sharp insights and narrative depth have made him a trusted thought leader, one who champions authenticity, sustainability, and cultural storytelling at a time when the industry needs it most. But Parvez is more than a commentator; he is a curator of experiences. Whether advising global brands, mentoring young designers, or celebrating the intersection of fashion and art, he brings a rare clarity that resonates with both professionals and enthusiasts. In this exclusive conversation, Parvez reflects on his journey in the fashion industry, offering insight into the mindset, systems thinking, and values that continue to drive his vision for a cleaner, smarter, and more connected future. Let’s take a closer look at his journey in the industry… As a fashion consultant, how do you balance timeless elegance with the ever-changing demands of modern trends? Fashion is like breathing, and everyone has their own unique way to express it. There is a rhythm that endures, a steady cadence of timeless elegance, while trends come and go like fleeting notes of improvisation. My role is to ensure that a brand maintains its balance, navigating the ever-evolving landscape without losing its core identity. Trends have their place, but it is enduring elegance that sustains relevance long after the noise fades. After all, the little black dress and a well-crafted tuxedo remain iconic not because they follow trends, but because they transcend them. Having observed fashion in diverse spaces, how do you see Middle Eastern fashion evolving in comparison to global markets? Middle Eastern fashion is experiencing a remarkable evolution, striking a delicate balance between deep-rooted heritage and bold modernity. From abayas with futuristic silhouettes to kaftans showcasing couture-level craftsmanship, designers across the region are redefining tradition through innovation. Unlike many global markets, the Middle East is setting new benchmarks in luxury, storytelling, and artisanal excellence, supported by sophisticated marketing strategies that resonate on a global scale. And when it comes to runway presentations, few regions can match the grandeur and cultural richness that the Middle East brings to the stage. You’ve been deeply connected with both fashion and art, how do cultural heritage and artistry influence your vision in fashion consulting? Cultural heritage is the soul, artistry is the brush, and fashion is the canvas. When advising brands, I emphasize that while trends may drive sales, heritage is what builds lasting identity. A jacket can be replicated, but the story behind a motif, a weave, or a traditional craft is unique and irreplaceable. Brands that embrace this perspective shift from chasing fleeting trends to creating enduring value. And honestly, it allows me to move beyond sounding like an analytical spreadsheet. I prefer to be a curator of stories. As a writer, how do you weave narratives that not only talk about fashion but also highlight the people and stories behind it? I often say that fashion is crafted by hand but sustained through stories. In my writing, I aim to move beyond the garments themselves and highlight the designers, artisans, tailors, patternmakers, and skilled professionals who bring these creations to life. They are the integral yet unrecognized contributors behind every collection. My narrative approach is clear: if the reader can connect with the story behind the fabric, then I have fulfilled my purpose. That sense of meaningful engagement is one I value highly. Your book, Between the Seams, shines a light on the unsung heroes of the fashion world. What inspired you to spotlight the hidden struggles and triumphs behind the glamour? After years spent in boardrooms and workshops, I came to understand that the red carpet is only the surface. Beneath it lies a vast world of human stories: late nights, failed prototypes, and the quiet pride of those who perfect every stitch. My goal is to shed light on the tireless efforts and challenges faced by the many skilled artisans behind the scenes. While glamour captivates, it is essential to remember the countless hands that work to bring elegance to the gowns celebrated on the runway. Between the Seams is my tribute to these dedicated craftsmen and women whose grit and commitment make the magic possible. As an art enthusiast, how do you see fashion and art intersecting today? Do you consider fashion a form of living, wearable art? Fashion is unquestionably one of the most glamorous art forms, it is not confined to a wall or frame…it moves with us, lives alongside us, and becomes a part of our very identity. It represents the intersection of beauty and purpose, turning creativity into something both wearable and alive. The relationship between fashion and art has never been clearer. Museums now display fashion alongside classical and contemporary masterpieces, recognizing its cultural and

In a sector known for cutting-edge technology and sovereign capability, the real competitive advantage isn’t found in systems or products; it’s in people. “At EDGE, we’re driving the future of defence, and that starts with ensuring the right workforce,” says Sana Al Daoumi, Group Senior Vice President of Human Capital at EDGE Group in Abu Dhabi. With 20+ years of experience in transforming how organisations approach talent, leadership, and culture, Sana is redefining what it means to lead people strategy in one of the most strategic and fastest-evolving industries in the UAE. The Foundations of a People-First Career Sana began her professional journey in 2005 at Etihad Airways, not in Human Resources (HR), but in a Commercial function. From the very beginning, her deep passion for people was evident. Guided by a supportive supervisor who recognised her potential, she soon transitioned into the Learning & Development function, where she led Etihad’s Emiratisation programme for three years. This role laid the foundation for her career in HR and introduced her to the power of strategic workforce development. She later moved into a HR Business Partner role in the airline’s Commercial division, giving her a front-row seat to the inner workings of business operations and a broader view of how HR drives value. A key turning point came when she was selected for an international assignment in Italy, navigating a tough, unionised labour market. “This experience set me up for success as I quickly learnt that HR isn’t just a support function, it’s a strategic driver that builds capability, enables performance, and directly impacts business outcomes – and that lesson has stayed with me.” Entering the Frontlines of National Innovation: Joining EDGE After nearly two decades in aviation, Sana sought a new challenge with national significance and where her contributions could have a meaningful impact. EDGE presented the ideal opportunity: a chance to join an industry critical to the UAE’s future, and to build a people strategy in a complex, rapidly changing environment. Joining in 2022, Sana initially led Human Capital for the Missiles & Weapons Cluster before being promoted to her current Group Senior Vice President (SVP) role. Today, she leads the end-to-end Human Capital strategy across all EDGE Group entities, with a clear mission: to ensure EDGE has the workforce, leadership, and culture needed to deliver on its long-term ambitions. To bring this mission to life, as Group SVP, Sana is focused on aligning people strategies with business priorities, fostering a high-performance culture, and building the leadership and technical pipelines needed to future-proof the organisation. “We’re looking at what capabilities we need, not just today, but five and ten years from now,” she explains. “And we’re building our workforce strategy to match.” This includes identifying emerging skillsets critical to EDGE’s future, such as autonomous technologies, and developing forward-looking strategies to build, attract, and retain those capabilities across the business. Under Sana’s leadership, EDGE’s approach includes: Investing heavily in a future-ready workforce, ensuring EDGE’s people are trained in emerging technologies like AI, autonomy, and cyber through targeted upskilling and strategic workforce planning. Building strong talent pipelines and maintaining a compelling EVP to attract top talent in a competitive market, while ensuring the retention of critical in-house skills. Enabling organisational transformation by designing and implementing operating model changes and agile structures that enable the business to respond quickly to changing needs without losing momentum. Human Capital as a Strategic Lever To deliver what needs to be done, Sana is also evolving the role of Human Capital at EDGE to ensure it is not just a back-office function but a central player in shaping business success. As part of this, she is reshaping the function to ensure Human Capital has a seat at the table, actively advises the business, influences decision-making, and drives performance outcomes. Her approach centres on ensuring Human Capital is both a builder of internal capability and a catalyst for external talent attraction. “By positioning HR as a strategic partner, we’re not just supporting innovation and business success; we’re driving it from the inside out.” By strengthening EDGE’s existing workforce while bringing in fresh skills and perspectives, Human Capital is playing a critical role in enabling the company to meet both current and future demands. This forward-thinking strategy extends to the team’s partnerships with schools and universities across the UAE, helping to grow a strong national talent pipeline and increase youth engagement in the defence sector. “Our graduate and internship programmes are designed to give young professionals meaningful exposure to defence,” Sana explains. “We’re not just building skills, we’re shaping futures.” As EDGE continues to evolve, so too does its Employee Value Proposition, positioning the organisation as a top employer of choice in the defence and advanced technology space, especially for UAE Nationals. Through this work, Sana is proving that when human capital is embedded in the business, it becomes a true lever of strategic success. Building a Culture Where People Belong With culture being one of the clearest indicators of organisational health and a driver of success, EDGE’s Human Capital team plays a pivotal role in shaping and sustaining it. That’s why Sana ensures people strategies do more than align with business goals; they actively cultivate a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and connected to a greater purpose. “Our people know how their work contributes to something bigger and that makes a difference,” she says. “It’s my job to protect and grow that sense of purpose.” As EDGE’s culture is grounded in flexibility, empowerment, and recognition, Sana emphasises supporting people-centric policies, processes, and practices. From hybrid work options, wellbeing policies, and career growth initiatives, employees are supported to thrive both personally and professionally. Recognition is also woven into daily life by celebrating success, reinforcing values, and ensuring everyone feels seen. “Whether it’s through our recognition platforms or career development programmes, we continuously celebrate success and invest in our people.” Championing Youth, Inclusion, and Diversity Under Sana’s leadership, EDGE is embracing diversity and inclusion as part of its identity and culture. “With over 80

The movements happening in the mobility landscape are compelling it to undergo an abrupt, violent redefinition. It is no longer a world of pistons and gasoline, but of silicon and software. Around the world, the legacy automotive sector—slow, cautious, and inherently and only focused on incremental improvements—has been falling apart under the weight of a new generation of creative entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs embody the high-risk, high-gain culture of the tech startup world and have been increasingly converting the conventional car from a product-as-a-physical-machine into a product-as-software-defined phenomenon. They expedited the timelines for Electric Vehicles (EVs), pushing legacy automotive manufacturers, who have often relied on their brand names and have been in business for over a century, to invest to catch up with emerging EV manufacturers with new software-based business models. Their disruption was all-encompassing, from battery recycling to ultra-efficient electric motor designs to the software side of Autonomous Driving (AVs) and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). The shift in movement has been so extreme that it created a new economic model: Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) stood in direct opposition to the classical car ownership model. The Catalyst of Change Leading this charge—from not Silicon Valley but from rather a unique cross-section of global markets—has been Samir Hmicho. He is an inventive entrepreneur and trailblazer in the electric vehicle space that emerged as one of the early key architects of this new automotive revolution, knowing from the start that revolution would demand more than just new vehicles, it required a fundamental change in the process. Since 2018, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innovation Automotive, Samir has driven the operation to import cutting-edge electric and hybrid vehicles in the UK, and importantly, meet the pressing requirement for an after-sales service program in a new market. The Integrated Ecosystem Builder Samir’s ambition stretched far beyond a single market. His vision expanded into the Syrian market, where he founded 77 Auto, the country’s first full-service electric vehicle dealership. He simultaneously pioneered Electro Taxi Syria, establishing the region’s first app-based electric taxi service. This dual approach demonstrated his grasp of the entire mobility ecosystem. Importantly, the company uses the latest global technologies for fault diagnosis and maintenance. This was a scalpel-like move that did enhance the entire vehicle lifecycle and save money on operating costs, thus demonstrating that sustainability can coexist with better economics. The Uncompromising Mandate Samir was not just selling cars; he was bringing a startup, speed, agility, and customer orientation into an industry that is mired in slowness. He was not just creating new categories of products; he was creating a critically needed culture of open innovation and collaboration that was necessary in the 21st century. His governance philosophy is that innovation could only happen in tandem with sustainability and transparency. His vision remains the unwavering drive to create an integrated smart-mobility ecosystem that applies advanced technology, puts peak-pursuit into customer service, and exemplifies consistency in sustainability. He is indeed leading the charge of a cultural shift, processing energy transitions – advancing a pace of change in many areas. Early Inspirations Right from the beginning of his career, Samir was fascinated by the automobile industry and the developments happening. He was very passionate about learning and identifying various automobiles. He says, “As the world embraces clean energy, it has become clear that the future belongs to electric cars, and this vision is what drives me to be part of the movement.” Dynamic Viewpoint Samir is a well-researched professional, having a good knowledge of the global developments in sustainable technologies. He has been a forward-thinking leader, encouraging research and innovations. Electrification, smart technologies, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping the future of mobility. He identifies, “At Innovation Automotive, we embrace these shifts to lead the industry and drive a smarter, more sustainable transportation future.” Boosting the Global Sustainable Mobility With the world poised for the new age of sustainable technologies, Samir is already ahead in his plans and implementation of the innovative solutions for sustainable mobility. He is forward in his thinking, planning, and implementation. Samir elaborates on Innovation Automotive’s perspective, “At Innovation Automotive, we strengthen our operations in Syria through strategic partnerships with the world’s leading electric vehicle companies. Looking ahead, we are expanding our footprint with plans to establish factories in multiple countries, beginning with Turkey, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in innovation, technology, and sustainable mobility.” Making the Green-Impact Committed to a sustainable future through sustainable technology practices, Samir ensures that the organization focuses on complete end-to-end sustainability solutions throughout its manufacturing process and its product offerings that extend the same to the customers. He believes in making an impact through collective participation. He states, “At Innovation Automotive, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. From investing in electric vehicle technology to adopting eco-friendly manufacturing practices, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint. By pioneering clean energy solutions and promoting responsible mobility, we aim to build a greener, smarter future for both our industry and the communities we serve.” Innovating to Success With an objective of providing the best quality solutions to the customers, saving time, and Innovation, Automotive has been at the forefront of implementing the latest technologies. From EVs to smart connectivity, technology is reshaping consumer expectations. Samir adds, “At Innovation Automotive, we harness the latest technologies to exceed evolving consumer expectations. From cutting-edge electric vehicles to smart, connected systems, we integrate innovation into every aspect of our products. By staying ahead of trends and continuously re-imagining mobility solutions, we ensure our customers experience the future of transportation today.” Growing Through Challenges The successful companies are those that have tackled the challenges effectively and have created opportunities from these testing situations. The success story of Innovation Automotive is also that of resilience and commitment. Samir credits his team and their dedication for the success of the organization. He reflects through his words, “Leading in a fast-changing industry has its challenges, but my reputation in China and with major Syrian and global companies