Amina Muaddi is a Paris-based Jordanian-Romanian designer who moved from styling fashion shoots in Milan to co-founding the shoe label Oscar Tiye. She created her own line in 2018, and it sold out in just a day. Later, Rihanna invited her to come up with the idea of designing Fenty shoes, and she wore her footwear to the 2026 “Met Gala”. Here’s her signature heel, her celebrity fans, and where to buy in Dubai.
Amina Muaddi Quick Facts
| Detail | What We Know |
|---|---|
| Profession | Shoe and accessories designer, founder and creative director |
| Heritage | Jordanian-Romanian |
| Education | European Institute of Design, Milan |
| Brand launch | 2018 |
| Based in | Paris |
| Production | Made in Italy |
| Signature design | Pyramid heel |
| Major collaborations | Fenty (Rihanna), AWGE (A$AP Rocky), Wolford |
| Screen moments | HBO’s Euphoria and Insecure |
| Key award | Neiman Marcus Award for Innovation in the Field of Fashion (2023) |
| Latest collection covered here | Cruise 26 (Vittoria and Justine styles) |
| First UAE boutique | Level Shoes, Dubai Mall (opened January 2026) |
Who Is Amina Muaddi?
Amina Muaddi is a footwear designer whose heels are sculptural, details are jeweled, and she is very picky about selling. Her work is in shoes, bags, and jewelry. In 2020, bags were received, and in 2021, custom jewelry was received.
She’s now into styling her own line, but began styling for others. The background highlights her in the shoes, which often appear as completed outfits.
Where Is Amina Muaddi From?
She has crossed three countries in her story. Born in Romania to a Jordanian father and Romanian mother, she spent her childhood in Jordan. She then emigrated to Romania and then Italy and completed high school before being enrolled in Milan to study fashion.
She then attended the European Institute of Design in Milan, specializing in fashion communication. There is some variation in the timelines of childhood in the various sources, and so we leave that general.
Why Does Her Jordanian Heritage Matter to Arab Readers?
In the Gulf, she is one of the few Arab-sounding, world-famous luxury designers. She is not a far-off word for Europe. The Middle East is the beginning of her story.
It is this relationship that has contributed to her brand being received well in the region. Her collections are now available in the UAE via Level Shoes and more.
How Did Amina Muaddi’s Career Begin?
Her journey was not a straight one towards shoe design. She worked in fashion media initially, and then educated herself on how shoes are created.
How Did She Move From Styling Into Footwear?
She went on to work in the fashion media post-design school. Her first job was assistant stylist for Condé Nast publications, including GQ US in New York and Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue. The specific titles may vary from source to source.
She learned how to dress and shoe a true lady from styling. She has confessed that it was difficult and risky to go from styling to design, but she wanted to make the objects herself.
For a year she studied the shoe-making process with the artisans of the historic Riviera del Brenta, Italy. That training was directly related to Oscar Tiye.
What Was Oscar Tiye?
Oscar Tiye became her first-ever shoe brand. It was co-founded by her in Milan in 2012; she designed it for 5 years and exhibited it at all the Paris Haute Couture Weeks. Some say 2013, so it’s safe to say “around 2012-2013”.
The co-founders split up in 2017. During that hiatus, her own label was started.
What Did Amina Muaddi Do With Alexandre Vauthier?
She was noticed by French fashion designer Alexandre Vauthier in her Oscar Tiye designs. He brought her in to help him launch his shoe line, and she did his shoe collections for about five years.
The shoes have been exhibited at Paris Haute Couture Week every season since. The experience she gained on the couture runways equipped her with high-end finishing techniques and design for shows; she now has her own brand based in Paris.
It was also the bridge to her own label, as it allowed her to create a heel that’s all her own.
Amina Muaddi Career Timeline
| Stage | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Early career | Assistant stylist at Vogue Italia, L’Uomo Vogue and GQ US |
| Shoemaking | About a year learning the trade in Italy’s Riviera del Brenta |
| Around 2012–2013 | Co-founded Oscar Tiye in Milan |
| Alexandre Vauthier line | Designed his footwear collections for about five years, shown at Paris Haute Couture Week |
| 2017 | Left Oscar Tiye after the co-founders parted ways |
| 2018 | Launched the Amina Muaddi label |
| 2019 | Commissioned by Rihanna to design Fenty footwear |
| 2020 | Fenty shoes launched; first bag collection arrived |
| 2023 | Won the Neiman Marcus Award for Innovation; Harrods permanent space opened |
| 2025 | Opened her first boutique in Paris |
| 2026 | Cruise 26 and the Level Shoes boutique in Dubai Mall |
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What Is Amina Muaddi Famous For?
She’s known for her easily identified heels from afar and for creating a luxury brand with modern fashion: Instagram first, limited drops, celebrity fans.
Her journey is a clear one that has led her from stylist to shoemaker, then to Oscar Tiye, then to Alexandre Vauthier, and ultimately to her own brand. This was followed by the Fenty collaboration with Rihanna and celebrities.
What Is the Amina Muaddi Pyramid Heel?
The pyramid heel is her signature. It is broad at the top and tapers to a point, lending a sense of both strength and harmony. Early press referred to it as a martini heel, which is a similar shape.
How Did the Pyramid Heel Become Her Signature?
Muaddi has said that she loves the feminine aspect of a stiletto but wanted something to give it an edge. That’s why she mixed half a stiletto and half a flared heel to make a new and exaggerated proportion.
In 2018, she created the shape after she didn’t wear Oscar Tiye anymore, and it became the basis of her first collection. The heel is very distinctive, so the brand remains recognizable even with changes in the details.
What Defines Amina Muaddi’s Design Style?
She has a sculptural silhouette and a feminine twist, but it’s edgy. The details are pretty; crystals, satin, feathers, enamel flowers, and statement heels are all at the center.
She is also concerned with wearability. Most of her heels do not exceed 95 millimeters, and if a shoe feels incorrect, she adjusts the last or the structure. This is a significant aspect of her allure.
Which Are the Most Popular Amina Muaddi Shoes?
Her catalogue changes every season, so this table lists styles that are confirmed in sources, not a popularity ranking.
| Style | Type | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Begum | Heel | An early signature favorite she brought back in her Harrods capsule |
| Lupita | Sandal | Part of her 2019 Harrods capsule, in fluorescent green |
| Iman | Boot | The glitter boot from the same capsule |
| Vittoria | Thong sandal and slipper | Cruise 26 piece with an electric yellow ombré enamel flower |
| Justine | Slipper | Debuts a metal toe ring with a single Swarovski crystal |
| Mini Camelia | Slipper | Cruise 26 slipper in gingham and coral satin |
Which Celebrities Wear Amina Muaddi Shoes?
The most well-known is Rihanna. She hired Muaddi to the brand Fenty and wore her shoes at the 2026 Met Gala.
Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have been seen wearing Kim’s clothing. She was also featured in press coverage as one of the first fans of Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Gigi Hadid.
How Did Amina Muaddi Launch Her Brand?
Her appearance wasn’t a glitz and glamour production but more one that was perfectly designed for Instagram.
How Did Instagram Create Demand for Her Brand?
Muaddi says she started just by announcing the brand and telling people about her campaign on Instagram, having a product that is a see-now, buy-now. Fans would see a shoe and purchase it virtually right away.
That created urgency. Ten retailers were the first to take the first collection, which included Bergdorf Goodman, Net-a-Porter, and Harrods, and it was sold out within a day.
Amina Muaddi Instagram
You can follow Amina Muaddi on Instagram at @aminamuaddi for her latest fashion moments, designs, and personal updates.
What Was the “See Now, Buy Now” Model?
She went against the seasonal routine and dealt with drops with her retailers. Initially, she was only a wholesale trader. Shortly after launch, Rihanna’s stylist ordered duos for her from Net-a-Porter and Browns.
What Is Her Exclusivity Philosophy?
In an interview with Forbes in 2019, she said that real luxury would be to have something that no one else has. That’s why there are only a handful of drops and a select few stockists.
How Has the Brand Grown Since?
The brand’s presence has slowly spread to the physical retail arena. In May 2023, a permanent Harrods space was opened, and she took her first independent boutique to Avenue Montaigne in Paris in 2025.
Dubai comes in January 2026, which is covered in the UAE section below.
Amina Muaddi Collaborations and Pop Culture Moments
She’s not just a shoe store girl. The brand became a household name among fashionistas through music, film, and TV.
Who Has Amina Muaddi Collaborated With?
- Fenty (Rihanna): Rihanna commissioned her in 2019 to design footwear for Fenty under LVMH, and it launched in July 2020.
- AWGE (A$AP Rocky): She collaborated with the creative agency started by the rapper himself.
- Wolford: They’ve sewn hosiery for the two brands. The new 17-piece Wolford capsule features new fishnets, bodysuits and a catsuit, with pop-ups in Paris, London, Milan and New York.
Where Have Her Shoes Appeared on Screen?
Her shoes recently endeared themselves to HBO fans with appearances in Euphoria and Insecure. This type of screening serves readers who likely don’t read a fashion magazine.
What Awards Has Amina Muaddi Won?
She is best known to the footwear industry through Footwear News and Neiman Marcus. Awards confirmed by sources are listed in the table.
| Award | Year | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Footwear News Launch of the Year | 2018 | Recognised her debut collection |
| Footwear News Designer of the Year | 2019 | Named after her first full year in business |
| Footwear News Collaborator of the Year | Fenty partnership | Recognised her footwear work with Rihanna |
| Neiman Marcus Award for Innovation in the Field of Fashion | 2023 | She was the first recipient of this award |
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The Neiman Marcus event was held on 5 March 2023 at Paris Fashion Week. Her footprint with them increased over threefold since they launched her line in the fall of 2019, the retailer said.
What Is Amina Muaddi’s Latest News?
Her latest moments are a summer collection with one of fashion’s biggest nights.
What Is in the Cruise 26 Collection?
The playfulness and floral nature of Cruise 26. It features an electric yellow ombré flower that’s hand-painted in enamel on the new Vittoria thong sandal. The Janis thong has leather flowers, and the Vittoria clutch is in pleated satin.
The Cruise 26 line was officially released and will be available at certain retailers and the official website. Please refer to the official site for size and availability.
How Is Rihanna Linked to the 2026 Met Gala?
The toe ring detail on the Justine slipper connects the two. That’s what led Muaddi to create a custom sandal for Rihanna’s 2026 Met Gala look. Rihanna was sporting Alexander McQueen and Amina Muaddi shoes and Tiffany & Co jewellery.
It’s a fine illustration of how her designs morph from the collection to the red carpet.
Where to Buy Amina Muaddi in the UAE?
UAE shoppers now have a physical boutique, plus online. Don’t buy; check stock and price first!
Is There an Amina Muaddi Boutique in Dubai?
Yes. She had her first UAE boutique in Dubai Mall with Crosby Studios. It has exclusive styles and capsule collections.
Otherwise, along with Selfridges and Browns, she appears on the lists of Level Shoes. Call or check stock and hours before heading to Level Shoes.
Can You Buy Amina Muaddi Online in the UAE?
Yes. The Outnet also has a UAE site (AED rates) and a dedicated Amina Muaddi section. She also has her official website for selling the brand’s collections, so check the shipping to the UAE at checkout.
How Much Do Amina Muaddi Shoes Cost in AED?
A price list for every style was not available, as prices are different with each model and season. At the time of writing, the table below is what we observed on The Outnet’s UAE site.
| Item Type | Price Range Seen (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heels, sandals and boots (original price) | About 3,000 to 9,900 | Original prices on boots and sandals appeared in the thousands of dirhams. |
| Sale prices | Often 1,000 to 3,000 | Discounts depend on style and size |
| Flats | Lower, from several hundred AED on sale | Ballet flats showed an original price of AED 5,584 and a sale price of AED 2,067 on one listing. |
| New collections (Cruise 26) | Check official site | We did not confirm AED prices |
These are not official retail prices; this is a listing. Check the official website or Level Shoes for prices, sizes, and sale items, as they are subject to change.
What Should UAE Buyers Check Before Buying?
- Authenticity: Make sure you buy from the official site: Level Shoes or a reputable retailer.
- Fit and size: Different styles will run differently, so try them on if possible.
- Return policy and responsibility: See these for online sales,s particularly from foreign stores.
Final Thoughts
Amina Muaddi is a shoe designer from Jordan and Romania, currently based in Paris. She studied at the European Institute of Design, was a stylist, co-founded the brand Oscar Tiye, designed shoes for Alexandre Vauthier, and started her own brand in 2018. The signature element in her collections is her pyramid heel.
She has been designing Fenty footwear for Rihanna and has been in the news for the Footwear News and Neiman Marcus awards, and now Cruise 26 and Rihanna’s 2026 Met Gala shoes. She can be found at the Level Shoes boutique in Dubai Mall and online through the likes of The Outnet in the UAE. Items may be subject to price and stock changes; please check the official website or with the store.
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FAQs
Who is Amina Muaddi?
She is a Jordanian-Romanian shoe designer based in Paris, and started her brand in 2018.
What is Amina Muaddi famous for?
She is known for her sculptural designs, her limited-drop sales model,l and her pyramid heel.
Where is Amina Muaddi from?
Her heritage is Jordanian and Romanian, and she grew up in Jordan and lived in Romania and Italy.
Where did Amina Muaddi study?
She attended the European Institute of Design in Milan.
When did Amina Muaddi launch her brand?
She founded her label in 2018 when she quit Oscar Tiye.
What is Oscar Tiye?
It is the brand of shoes she co-founded in Milan around 2012-2013 before beginning her own brand.
What is the Amina Muaddi pyramid heel?
It is her signature heel, wide at the top and narrowing to a point.
Did Amina Muaddi design shoes for Rihanna?
She has indeed created footwear for Fenty for Rihanna, which was launched in July 2020.
What awards has Amina Muaddi won?
She has been awarded Footwear News Launch of the Year (2018), Designer of the Year (2019), Collaborator of the Year, and the Neiman Marcus Innovation Award (2023).
Is there an Amina Muaddi store in Dubai?
Yes, her first UAE boutique will be at the Dubai Mall’s Level Shoes in January 2026.
Can I buy Amina Muaddi online in the UAE?
Yes, via retailers like The Outnet’s UAE store as well as her official website.
How much do Amina Muaddi shoes cost in the UAE?
Check the official site for current AED prices; they will vary according to style and season.
