This week, we chat with Kamille Zhaxylykova, Founder of marbl. This homegrown UAE-based fashion label focuses on creating capsule pieces that can be worn all year round.
Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
The brand releases seasonless pieces that exist outside of trends as opposed to collections. The tailors along with the Quality team make sure that every piece is worthy of investment. marbl. clothing has been designed to combine effortless style with pieces such as silk dresses, linen co-ords and more.
To delve into the brand’s story, Emirates Woman spoke to Kamille Zhaxylykova who shared how it all began.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Geography.
What was your first job?
I initially worked as a Marketing Coordinator for a hotel in Dubai.
What brought you to Dubai?
My first internship after university brought me to Dubai. Since then, it has been seven years and I haven’t left this place.
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What inspired you to enter the space and your brand?
I’ve always been passionate about both fashion and entrepreneurship, so when the time felt right, I knew I wanted to create something that combined the two. I found it difficult to find clothing that was not only stylish and comfortable but also flattering and modest—not too revealing. That’s what inspired me to create a brand that helps women feel confident, comfortable, and stylish in every aspect of their lives.
Talk us through the concept?
Marbl. is about seasonless pieces that exist outside of trends as opposed to collections. We are against mass production and material waste, so a lot of pieces in our collections are “made to order”. Shape and fit are integral to our brand’s success and regardless of your height or size, we are committed to creating clothing that not only fits every time but fits comfortably, sits properly and looks amazing.
What are the key elements of your role?
Right now, my focus in the business is leading creativity and growth. I’m responsible for coming up with fresh ideas for photoshoots, campaigns, and everything that helps showcase our brand in an exciting way. But most importantly, I’m always looking for opportunities, big and small, that drive the brand’s growth and help us connect more deeply with our audience.
Talk us through your daily routine.
I try to have slow mornings when I can and not do work in the first 1.5 hours after waking up and I dedicate this time to make a nice breakfast, enjoy my morning coffee and play with my doggy. Then I start my working days with checking some emails, Shopify analytics and a call with our Marketing Executive Sylvia. Some days I visit our warehouse in Sharjah and check our daily production and doing some warehouse content 😀
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
Be consistent. Every day, millions of new brands are launched, and more than half of them shut down within a few months or years. Running a business is tough—it’s unpredictable. One day things are going great, and the next, everything feels like it’s falling apart. There’s not much you can do except face those challenges head-on. But if you truly believe in what you’re doing and see your brand as your “baby,” you have to show up for it, no matter what. Consistency is key. Post content every day—it’s crucial in today’s world and the best way to get your brand noticed. Learn from your mistakes—we all make them, and that’s completely normal. And most importantly, set aside time each day to brainstorm new ideas, whether it’s for designs, campaigns, or content. Your brand’s growth depends on your dedication and creativity.
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Tell us more about the pieces?
Our pieces are handmade using high-quality materials, with a focus on comfort and a flattering fit. Our best sellers are our maxi dresses, which offer a modest yet stylish look. Many of them feature adjustable ties in the back to ensure a perfect, tailored silhouette.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I received was truly life-changing for me. My boyfriend—who was just a friend at the time—saw my first-ever samples and was so impressed. He told me I needed to take my side hustle a lot more seriously. Originally, I thought I’d just launch the brand on the side while keeping my main job, but he encouraged me to go all in—create an official website, do a proper photoshoot, and even invest in paid ads. Taking those steps is what really helped me scale the brand so quickly.
And what’s the worst?
The worst advice I received was from someone I reached out to for help with setting up a business license in Dubai for my clothing brand. This person told me that online fashion was one of the worst industries to get into, citing the high percentage of returns and exchanges. Of course, I didn’t listen and kept moving forward with my plans. Today, our return rate is quite low. My takeaway from that experience is: don’t discourage someone from pursuing what they’re passionate about. Everyone’s journey is different, and sometimes the risks are worth taking.
What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
I face challenges daily—whether it’s an issue with a supplier, a technical glitch on the website, an unexpected expense, or production delays—but I’ve learned to deal with them and keep moving forward. As a business owner you learn to not get upset over every inconvenience or issue that happens in your business, and it really does help you navigate the life better.
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What’s lies ahead for the brand?
We’re focused on expanding by developing new collections that cater to colder weather, especially as our audience in Europe and the US continues to grow. We also plan to put more effort into building our community and engaging with our customers on a deeper level. We have some exciting events lined up for the upcoming year to help build that connection.
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Images: Supplied & Instagram @marbl
