Alaa BalkhyFashion designer / Internet blogger

Alaa Balkhy's artistic vision developed under diverse influences during a childhood split between Canada and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She worked in a clothing boutique while studying graphic design at university in Jeddah and launched her fashion bag brand Fyunka (”ribbon bow" in Arabic) upon graduation in 2011. A social media enthusiast, Alaa built the brand largely through Internet communications.