Celebrity Fashion Designer Ismail Heiza Styles His Signatures

The folds and grooves of the human brain have found their way into Heiza’s jewellery. Known anatomically as gyri and sulci, their contours appear on his rings, beneath the sapphires of the Clockwork, in the silver curves of the Cortex band, along the Opal Thoughts necklace and, on a smaller scale, at the end of a pocket chain.

The idea of turning the inner workings of the mind into something tangible has occupied Heiza since he founded Heiza Studios at seventeen. Now the label’s founder, creative director and designer, he has developed a visual language that moves between clothing and jewellery, drawing on linen, silver and Arabic script. His designs have been worn by Egyptian musicians Wegz and Mohamed Ramadan.

“Design can carry a history of thoughts, emotions and experiences of the designer that led him to that final result. This is what interests me the most – the invisible narrative behind the object.”

For Heiza, however, the personal meaning behind a design need not be immediately apparent to the person wearing it. “I like mystery. I design to engage people’s minds. A simple explanation of every detail in the garment is not good enough for me. I want it to be felt and evoke certain perspectives.”

That conviction also informs his approach to dressing performers whose public identities are already well established. “I start with bravery and confidence. To see your creations on such big stages, next to famous brands, requires dedication and willingness to create using whatever you have at hand. Dedication means that you solve problems, make do with what you have, and not pay attention to limitations which don’t even really exist.”

For this edition of Styled Selects, Heiza steps into the role of his own stylist, putting together three looks from Heiza Studios that reflect the design language he has spent years developing.

LOOK 1 — Leisure Class

Heiza Studios | Ledger Polo

Heiza Studios | CorteCollar Linen Blazer

Loro Piana | Alpine Pocket Square

Heiza Studios | Chop Chop Wide Pants

Cartier | Première de Cartier Sunglasses

Bottega Veneta | Lambskin Astaire Loafers

Heiza Studios | Opal Thoughts Bracelet

Heiza Studios | Opal Thoughts Necklace

Heiza Studios | Iced Cortex Diamond Ring

Heiza Studios | Emerald Branch Ring

Cartier | Crash 1991

LOOK 2 — Slouch Theory

Heiza Studios | CDV Exclusive Shirt

Heiza Studios | Wide Leg Pants

Chrome Hearts | 'Blue Floral Dagger' Black Corduroy Hat

Gentle Monster | Mori 02 (GR)

Heiza x Zee | Clogs (Unreleased)

Heiza Studios | Sapphire Cortex Ring

Heiza Studios | Clockwork Sapphire Ring

Heiza Studios | Steady Ring

Heiza Studios | Cortex Thoughts Bracelet

Heiza Studios | Cortex Cuban Necklace

Cartier | Tank Must, Blue Dial with Blue Alligator Strap

LOOK 3 — A Little Excess

Heiza Studios | Silent Polo

Heiza Studios | Beige Bloom Pants

Oliver Peoples | Desmond Sun

Jacquemus | The Tennis

Heiza Studios | Emerald Thoughts Ring

Heiza Studios | Kyoto Ring

Heiza Studios | Heal Ring

Heiza Studios | Iced Cortex Ring

Heiza Studios | Neural Bracelet

Heiza Studios | Cortex Brass Bangle

Heiza Studios | NEURALSEA Necklace

Heiza Studios | Bismillah Mentality Pendant w/ Chain

Heiza Studios | Heaviest Pocket Chain