Barraket was built first by the Market, then shaped by Research.
A one-year incubation at the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) allowed the project to be confronted with the real needs of brands, refine its positioning, and evolve the initial idea into solutions that are more relevant to the market.
During this period, Barraket was selected as one of the AMI Prize favorites, with a mention in Vogue Business. Since then, the project has continued to grow alongside leading European textile laboratories and within Euramaterials, an ecosystem dedicated to innovative materials and the circular economy.
Today, Barraket is working to bring forward a reliable, market-ready, bio-based material that aligns with high environmental standards, with an ambition firmly oriented toward international development.
The Mind Behind The Vision
Alya Khiari is the founder of Barraket, an R&D venture specializing in bio-based materials with a particular focus on the potential of the prickly pear cactus. She leads both the strategic and operational development of the project, coordinating efforts between laboratories, technical partners, and future users of the material.
After completing a five-year business program at ISG, she pursued a specialized master’s degree jointly delivered by the Institut Français de la Mode, IAE Lille, and ENSAIT (the National School of Arts and Textile Industries). This training — positioned at the intersection of management, innovation, and materials — allows her to bridge business vision, industrial constraints, and product development challenges.
Combining technical and strategic expertise with strong human qualities, she positions Barraket at the forefront of key issues for the coming years: moving beyond fossil-based materials, advancing circularity, valorizing resources from arid regions, and integrating environmental impact criteria into product decisions.
The Name BARRAKET
Reflects this identity: “bar” for barbarie, “racket” for the cactus used, and a nod to baraka, meaning “blessing” in Arabic — as well as a tribute to her mother’s name.