Meet Our Faculty
Fashstrat’s Faculty is exceptionally skilled fashion professionals from various background and established fashion designers from across the globe. With a vast experience in fashion industry, and hands-on practical knowledge in fashion, their prime aim is to make learning more enjoyable and interactive. Special workshops and field trips to textile markets is organized by our faculty to ensure students are aware of right sources available in the market
Tara Khan — Head of Faculty
A fashion professional and educator with over 16 years of experience across fashion design, creative direction, brand development, and education. As Founder and Creative Director of Faspiration, a Dubai-based fashion label she led for eight years, she successfully ran her own fashion boutique, building a diverse international clientele and gaining extensive experience across design, production, bespoke fashion, and the commercial side of the industry.
Her career includes showcasing collections at Arab Fashion Week and Modest Fashion Week, completing the prestigious DCAD Residency in Abu Dhabi, and gaining international industry experience with Oscar de la Renta in New York. As Founder and Head of Faculty at Fashstrat, Tara brings together her creative, entrepreneurial, and global industry experience to offer a practical and contemporary approach to fashion education.
Nivea Heluey
Masters in Corporate Communication and a PhD in Strategic Communication, from the beginning of her career Nivea makes her great passions meet whenever they can. She has worked for more than 20 years in fashion, design, production, styling and fashion business management. Back in Brazil, her home country, Nivea also hosted a TV show on fashion and taught in fashion College as well. Since her arrival in Dubai 14 years ago, Nivea combines consulting in fashion marketing and business and produces capsule collections.
Mercy Mukwusu
Graduated in fashion from ESMOD University in Dubai. A Cameroonian fashion entrepreneur who owns her own fashion boutique in Umm al-Quwain, UAE. Mercy has also been a fashion faculty member at a University in UAE. Specializes in pattern making and garment construction, she has unique teaching techniques to make learning more fun and interactive.
Leah Nicholls
Head of Design from London with over 18 years of international experience. Leah has led creative teams for global retailers and suppliers including Topshop, Next, River Island, Styli, and ASOS. Alongside her extensive design career, Leah has worked as a trend forecaster and fashion writer, with over 30 published articles exploring industry insights and global style influences. She is passionate about guiding the next generation of designers, blending creativity with commercial awareness.
Voices of Success: Testimonials from Our Students
Fashstrat is really a best institute. I really learned a lot and I am so happy. 20/20. Don't change anything.
Sabine
Student
I really loved this course! It is a very practical course with experienced and talented teachers. If you want to take your first step into fashion in a motivating and inspiring environment, Fashstrat is the place. I am sure this course will change my professional life, and I would recommend everyone to do this course if you're into fashion and design"
Lizzy
Student
Such an amazing class to participate in. So much to learn and experience in the class with such amazing teachers. Ms. Tara and Ms. Nivea. Also fellow learners are amazing. Had a great time with you ladies.
Salma
Student
My experience at Fashstrat is absolutely beautiful. The faculty & staffs are friendly & the place is pretty unforgettable one. Ms. Nivea & Ms. Tara put their full effort in educating students with every aspect of fashion in 3 months. Easy to grasp the skills with easy techniques they taught us. I wil surely recommend this course for everyone who is interested in fashion as they gave me the best knowledge of fashion.
Jasniya
Student
Thanks Fashstrat staff for giving us the opportunity to learn fashion. We learned a lot from Fashstrat, before we have zero idea. And how we done our short course, we opened our mind for the next chapter.
Jovelyn
Student
Thank you for everything! For all the work and efforts. You are the best!
Sahereh
Student
I am really glad that I've got the chance to join the 3 months fashion design course. The information I got to know and learn are very rich in content and useful. The learning stages was organized and covers A to Z topics. We Started from learning how to sketch a fashion illustration and progressed to knowing how to make our own collection.
Amal A.
Student
The course is basic and very simple. Being a pharmacist, I was worried if I can understand the fashion sessions, especially the pattern making module. However, the support I got from the faculty was amazing. They explained each topic in detail and I felt the overall learning experience good.
Liz K.
Student
I came from a different country to learn Fashstrat's design course and I don't regret about it. Very good course for fashion design! The learning process is made in an accessible and interesting form. The organizers and teachers are friendly and responsive. Thank you wonderful teacher, Tara! I am going to apply my acquired skills and start working in the fashion industry. I wish you more gratified students!
Evgeniia A.
Student