Mabruk Ali: Bringing Libyan tradition to luxury streetwear

At first glance, Mabruk Ali’s creations for his brand, Medina, exude an eccentric boldness—discernable asymmetry, unexpected textures and silhouettes. But speaking with the young DJ-stylist-designer, the pieces unfold in elucidation, telling stories of Libyan culture, the designer’s multiplicity and an immortalising reinterpretation of tradition. Born in Libya and raised in London, the 27-year-old designer embodies a melding of influences that inform his work and guide his vision for a new, inclusive high fashion. 

Raised on London’s creatively fertile ground, Mabruk’s journey began in the gritty dynamism in skate culture. There, he absorbed a spirit of individuality and experimentation that would come to shape his designs. Governed by oversized silhouettes and saturated by the patchwork aesthetics of streetwear, Mabruk began to see garments as vehicles for self-expression. But he also noticed an absence of voices like his in the industry. “Growing up, besides feeling like there weren’t any people like me making an impact on the fashion industry, I also had a lot of ideas for garments that I felt weren’t being represented, so I wanted to fill that gap,” Mabruk says to Dazed MENA. “I have a vision that I want to share and designs that I find interesting, and I’m hoping to contribute a different perspective on something universal.”

Medina, named as a subtle manifestation of the cultural hub he wished to cultivate, was Mabruk’s answer to this void. Mabruk envisioned Medina as a meeting ground for bold ideas and unapologetic style—a space where individuality could thrive, much like how London’s streets had been for him. “I want to present my perspective on things and bring that to life through garments, visual arts and other creative avenues that I want to explore,” Mabruk aspires. “I want to work with people from all over the world and continue repping my people. I have big ambitions and I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who inspire me and encourage me to evolve and try new things.”

With roots in the Libyan capital, Medina was a nod to Tripoli, as well as London and New York, the cosmopolitan cities that shaped his vision. From its inception, the brand aimed to embody a balance of honouring cultural iconography while forging an avante-garde identity. “I’m trying to drive innovation in the industry and push the boundaries of what it means to work in fashion and the wider creative industry, blurring the lines and developing a range of skills,” Mabruk explains. “And of course, I’m proud to represent Libya in the fashion and broader creative space where there is so little representation.”

Mabruk’s approach is refreshingly unconventional, and actively resists the trap of oversimplifying or exoticising his heritage. Instead, elements of Libyan culture—like the structured cuts of the traditional zboon garment or the flowing ease of the thobe—surface naturally in his design, reframed through Mabruk’s contemporaneous eye. His fascination with asymmetry is a staple of his; a way to leave his indelible presence on the pieces.

As much as they are wearable tributes to the cultures that formed him, Mabruk’s pieces are not limited to aesthetics. The designer is singularly invested in anchoring Medina’s production processes in North Africa, hoping to give tangible support to the communities that inspire the brand. “I’m consistently creating visuals and producing garments in North Africa,” Mabruk affirms. “I’m hoping to spend more time in the region to learn, spend time in new communities, and also increase production there.”

Beyond fashion design, Mabruk is a DJ, stylist and visual artist—each role feeds into the others. “My creative process is constant,” Mabruk shares, who says his mind is trained on different facets of his art at all times, and forever calculating logistics. “I think that definitely my own trust and curiosity push me forward. Despite always having a lot to do, I’m mindful of what I consume and try to engage with material, art and culture that inspire me and encourage me to think about things differently, or that further my knowledge.”

While his London base offers connections with trailblazing creators, Mabruk is intent on training global eyes back on to the SWANA region, keen to amplify its proliferating but underrepresented creative population. “The region already has so many unique microcosms of creative communities,” Mabruk posits. “I’d like to see that continue to evolve and see what we can learn from each other. Our creative community is getting a lot more recognition and space than it has before, both locally and internationally, but I hope to see more of it in sincerity and by us, not just as a marketing asset.”

Looking ahead, Mabruk is preparing to release Medina’s first official collection in 2025. This long-awaited debut is centred on a fascination with the zboon, translating its stringent compositions and intricate details into cutting-edge creations. The project is two years in the making; one that reflects a meticulous approach to the careful process of honouring his tradition through his craft. “I’ve admired their detail from a young age and I’m looking forward to putting my spin on it.”