Milliner Shai Tabassi, at Wafi

Shai Tabassi is renowned for her original creations and has been making hats since she was 14 years old. Shai usually works from her studio in Melbourne were she makes hats for private clientele and elite boutiques.

Shai has assisted the head milliner of the prestigious Melbourne Theatre Company in making hats for stage productions and brings her passion for originality and style to Wafi this month.

The Designer Club at Wafi is a complete fashion gallery and provides glamorous styles for special occasions for a sophisticated clientele as well catering to the young and career ladies with trendy daywear. St.John is one designer featured in the store and favoured by Angelina Jolie.

Shai first showcased her collection at the Designer Club in 2001 when she specifically started creating hats for the Dubai World Cup. For 2008 Shai's hats are on display in the mall and she can be consulted in the store, where she is also available to tailor-make a unique hat to complement your outfit.

Shai stated that there are different styles of hats for different outfits, such as a formal suit or a dress.

"Personality, social status and the type of occasion has an impact on the style of hats. There is no age group target, my hats are designed for clients who are blessed with femininity and seek a glamourous style."
Shai follows trends but still links them to modernity, "My style has been described as 'post modern', in another words, classic with a twist which takes it away from conventionality," said Shai Tabassi.

"The most important fact about my design is that they are ONE OFF. For the past 7 years, I have made hundreds of hats; however, none has been repeated identically."

According to Shai Tabassi, the colour trends for the World Cup Day will be gold and silver as well as yellow and plum. "The number one, as always, will be black and white", said Shai.
Shai Tabassi's insider tips for women looking for the perfect World Cup Hat are: to visit a professional milliner and seek advice for the best style that suite her look, personality, social status; and ensure that the hat complements her outfit and other fashion accessories.

"One aspect that most ladies insist on and in my opinion is not necessarily the case, is to make sure that the colour of the hat is the same as the colour of the outfit", explained Shai. "I would much prefer to recommend a complementary, even contrast colour for the hat. In this case the hat becomes a statement on its own rather than an extension of the outfit".

Throughout the month of March Shai is part of WAFI's unique selection of fashion from leading design houses and emerging new designers which offer customers 'All the Right Looks for a Photo Finish' and an inspirational look for Dubai World Cup on March 29th.