Conversations with Wiaam Shabi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wiaam Shabi.

Hi Wiaam, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started by coming to the United States from College in New York. After a few years of Design, I started exploring different design fields. I went from drawing and painting to expressing my creativity and personality in other ways.

I always loved fashion, but after coming to the United States, I had the ability to explore many different realms of fashion and have access to many more brands. It was my favorite thing about being here. I started exploring different styles, pushing boundaries and even passing on my knowledge to whomever was willing to listen. After a while of styling and playing with different garments, I started getting the itch of creating my own clothing, which I had now decided would be my career. My fourth year here, I’m ready to fully commit to the dream, I picked up my stuff, moved down south, and thats where I started my fashion design journey. I now have created multiple pieces and began experimenting with what my brand will look like in the near future. I am excited to present my brand, INBETWEEN, that is currently a brand that explores 3D, and texture.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It really hasn’t. The industry is tough and I have always been at the toughest parts. As an international student, it’s almost impossible to thrive here. I feel like I would need to fight tooth and nail. I also have been through many personal struggles, family, covid, and much more.

What I would like to say to those who face a wall is to keep going. Everyone says keep going and I know you’ll hate me for saying that. I hate those who said that to me. But they’re right. The only way for people to see what you’re doing is to DO IT.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most known for styling and fashion. I have always had an eye for seeing how things fit together. I can almost always see how a problem can be resolved and I bring that into styling.

Now that I have moved on to creating individual one of ones, I am learning to create pieces that people can style well. Pieces that make your outfit even more interesting, and they all live in some kind of texture, movement, 3d atmosphere. They give life not just visually but tactically. I believe that my creations are stemming from my own life, culture, travel, and interest in academia, I place myself and beyond into my brand. Everything I create is an extension from myself and that’s what makes my design different.

How do you think about luck?
I feel like I haven’t had a lot of luck when I first started. This isn’t because I didn’t believe in good luck, but rather the opposite. I felt like I was lucky in my everyday life; things somehow would go my way. Now when it comes to my work, I think my confidence played a HUGE role in the success of my clothing.

Luck is what you make it. If you don’t have the confidence to put yourself out there, the luck won’t be able to play a part, or if you don’t let it, it won’t either. Luck can be considered, but it has to be something you make happen.

Pricing:

• $150- $500- Pants (depending on fabrics and materials)
• $300 – $1000 (textured 3d printed fabric)
• $80- $500 (Accessories – wide range)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inbtwnculture/

Image Credits
Hazel Qiao – First image of me