Usama Ishtay (born June 18, 1988, Guárico, Venezuela) is a Syrian-Venezuelan fashion designer based in Los Angeles, US. He is notable for working with actresses such as Tyra Banks, Carrie Underwood, Lauren London, and Chiquis Rivera.[1]

Usama Ishtay
Born (1988-06-18) June 18, 1988 (age 36)
Guárico, Venezuela
OccupationFashion designer
Websitewww.usamaishtay.com

Early life and education

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Ishtay was born in Guárico, Venezuela, on June 18, 1988, to a Syrian immigrant family.[2] He was raised in Zulia.[3] He graduated college with a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering and a master's in geology in 2010 and 2012, respectively.[3]

Career

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After his first trip to the United States, Ishtay three boutiques in Venezuela, which were later lost due to the country's political and economic crisis. Afterwards, he permanently moved to Los Angeles, US.[4]

Ishtay studied pattern making and sewing privately and also made a living driving Uber.[5] In 2016, he did an internship at Los Angeles Fashion Week. At the Autism Speaks event, Ishtay designed a dress for American rapper, singer, and actress Eve. Following the event, Ishtay donated her dress to charity.[3]

Ishtay has dressed various actresses, singers, and models, including Tyra Banks,[6] Carrie Underwood, Anitta, Thalia, Chiquis Rivera, Jeannie Mai, Paulina Rubio, Lauren Jauregui, Ariadna Gutiérrez,[7] and Nikita Dragun.[3] Lauren London chose a white, form-fitting design from Ishtay's collection for the 2019 Grammy Awards, while Gaby Espino wore one of his dresses for the Billboard Latin Music Awards in 2020.[8]

Earlier in 2022, the designer dressed rapper Icy Bae (Saweetie) for the latest campaign for firm MAC Cosmetics, in which she starred alongside Cher.[9] Also, in March 2022, he presented his collection at Los Angeles Fashion Week.[10][11][12]

References

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  1. ^ "Diseñador Usama Ishtay quiere dejar su huella en Hollywood". diariolasamericas.com.
  2. ^ sayago, oscar (February 14, 2022). "Diseñador Usama Ishtay dice presente en las pasarelas". itVenezuela.
  3. ^ a b c d "Diseñador venezolano Usama Ishtay conquista la industria internacional de la moda". Noticiero Venevisión.
  4. ^ "ABOUT". Usama Ishtay.
  5. ^ Ishtay, Usama. "From Uber Driver to A-List Celebs, Emerging Venezuelan Designer is Disrupting the Fashion Industry". www.prnewswire.com.
  6. ^ Lorenzo, Tom and (September 6, 2018). "Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Tyra Banks at "America's Got Talent" Season 13 Live Show Red Carpet". Tom + Lorenzo.
  7. ^ Marquez, Lorenzo (April 16, 2021). "Latin American Music Awards 2021 Red Carpet Rundown". Tom + Lorenzo.
  8. ^ "All The Celebrities Who Wore Arab Designers At The BAFTA And Grammy Awards 2019". Vogue Arabia. February 11, 2019.
  9. ^ "Diseñador Venezolano Usama Ishtay conquista la industria internacional". February 17, 2022.
  10. ^ "Usama Ishtay SS20 Collection At LA Fashion Week". November 5, 2019.
  11. ^ "Reinhardt Kenneth: The Photographic Sense - USAMA ISHTAY F/W 2022". reinhardtkenneth.co.
  12. ^ "LA Fashion Week ft. Usama Ishtay". creatively.life. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
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