Following a decade-long stint living and working in the fast paced city of Dubai, Clair Seffeen saw an opportunity to support local and emerging fashion talent within the Middle East. In May 2018, Clair founded The Design Narratives, a boutique brand and retail agency providing bespoke consulting to brands and retail outlets in the region. Clair is also Managing Partner of Story Concept Store in Garden 8 which opened in March 2022.
As a former luxury fashion buyer, Melbourne-born Clair has worked with the most recognized and prestigious fashion designers, brands and stores across the globe. Over the course of her 20-year career in fashion, Clair has held various senior roles encompassing all facets of retail including design, buying, store operations and retail management.
Prior to launching The Design Narratives, Clair was a senior member of Al Tayer Insignia (based in the UAE) with key achievements including the store launch of Bloomingdale’s in Kuwait and as Senior Buyer for department stores Bloomingdale’s (for Dubai and Kuwait) and Harvey Nichols Dubai – where Clair managed a portfolio of over 50 brands including key contemporary names such as Alice & Olivia, Rag and Bone, Helmut Lang, Kenzo and See By Chloe. Clair was also pivotal in the launch and expansion of multi-brand store Ounass across five locations within the UAE & Bahrain.
Clair has also worked with the Oroton Group in Australia (managing brands such as Ralph Lauren and Morrissey).
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