Shady spent much of his childhood outdoors, often bringing stray animals home to his family’s frustration. His affection for animals and children has stayed with him, and working with children at a creativity center in Ain Hala gave him a way to share his own playful spirit.

That playfulness also shaped his early interest in fashion. At ten, he was dressing and styling toys; by thirteen, he was sketching his own designs. He loved art class, experimenting with color, and taking part in creative projects. Through clothing, he found ways to express different sides of himself, exploring exaggerated shapes, loose silhouettes, darker aesthetics, and unusual color combinations that challenged him to make them work.

After completing a program in socioeconomics, Shady took a gap year to develop his fashion portfolio, determined to study at CSB. With money earned working at a thrift store, he bought a sewing machine and began remodeling and upcycling clothes, sometimes staying up all night, absorbed in the details of a piece.

Music is another major part of his life, and he is learning to play the guitar. Comfortable with his sensitivity, Shady values his ability to connect with people and hopes to bring that warmth to his relationships with his classmates. At CSB, he wants to strengthen his skills and create clothing that gives others room to be expressive, particular, and a little exaggerated themselves.