Camilla Fayed is a businesswoman, founder of the former Issa clothing brand, a restauranteur, and one of the 5 children of the late Egyptian-born businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed. The 39-year-old founder of Fermacy is also the daughter of Finish socialite and model Heini Wathén.
Camilla’s fame is mostly associated with her father Al-Fayed who was involved in streams of businesses in the UK. They include Hôtel Ritz Paris and Harrods department store. He was also the owner of Fulham Football Club from 1997 until it was sold to Shahid Khan in 2013.
Her Early Life and Family
Camilla was born on February 16, 1985, in London, Britain, where her father’s many business interests were built in the 1960s. She was born as one of the five children of Mohammed Al-Fayed and as one of the 4 children born to Heini Wathén
Her mother is Heini Wathén-Fayed – a Finnish socialite and former model.
Camilla has 3 brothers, including Dodi Fayed (half-brother) who died with Princess Diana (of Wales) in a crash in Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. Her surviving brothers are Karim Fayed and Omar Fayed.
The socialite has an older sister, Jasmine Fayed.
Camilla’s family has been in the spotlight for many reasons – from their business lives to controversies, marriage, and many other things. In recent times, the family (her siblings) found their way to the news for fighting over their father’s wealth following his death in 2023 at 94.
Fayed also had issues with her brother Omar. She was accused of stealing his iPhone. She was arrested alongside her husband and some bodyguards. They were later released on bail.
Camilla Fayed Dropped Out of School at 16
Fayed stopped school at 16 years old and took a job at her father’s company (Harrods). She attended a strict boarding school in the south of England. Then, she attended a drama school with the hopes of attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Regardless, her father wanted her to study business or economics but she didn’t further her education.
She later didn’t attend any other higher institution but jokes that she had her higher education at the “University of Harrods”.
She Started a Career For Her Father Before Later Starting Her Empire
Camilla worked on the shop floor of Harrods. At the time, she used Camilla Wathen (her mother’s maiden name) on her name tag to gain attention as Al-Fayed’s daughter.
She worked at Harrods for years and it was while at the job that she picked interest in fashion.
This led her to work for British Vogue and as the assistant of Anna Wintour in New York.
Like her father, she was driven into business. She bought a 51 percent stake in Issa. At the time, the company was only a small clothing brand. She went on to build many aspects of the business and expand it to Japan and Brazil.
The company has made clothes worn by famous people. This includes the blue wrap dress that Kate Middleton wore when she and her husband Prince William announced their engagement in 2010.
While the company made a name, the business was sold to House of Fraser.
See Also: Frances Shand Kydd Is Princess Diana’s Mother: Unknown Things About Her
She Started a Vegan Restaurant
Camilla grew up eating junk and several other foods that she may not consider healthy. Then, she reached a stage and experienced the healing benefits of a plant-based diet which motivated her to start her vegan restaurant, Fermacy.
Many of her foods are grown on her biodynamic farm in the Kent countryside and transferred to the restaurant using an electric vehicle.
The restaurant started in 2016 in Notting Hill, London. Another branch was later created in New York.
The restaurant has gained the attention of numerous people, including celebrities. Actor Woody Harrelson and Gwyneth Paltrow, whose wellness company Goop hired Camilla to cater for its London events.
Camilla Fayed is Married to a Syrian-born property Tycoon
Camilla is married to Mohamed Esreb, a Syrian businessman and a property tycoon. They were married in 2012 in a registry office without any family members present.
The couple met in a nightclub when Camilla Fayed was 18 years old.
Soon, they became parents of two children – a girl, Luna Esreb and Numair Esreb.
The couple incorporate both Syrian and Egyptian dishes in their home to help expose their children to their roots. Their daughter, Luna is very interested in Syria and the family hopes that one day, they will travel to the country.
