The fairytale behind Rami Kadi: Les Jardins Suspendus.

Bouquets of lace and embroidered flowers blend together among pastel waves of tulle and refined fabrics, resulting in fairytale dresses, fresh colors and dreamy figures.This is Les Jardins Suspendus French for the Hanging Gardens, the latest collection from rising Lebanese designer Rami Kadi. 

Tell me abit about your up-bringing in terms of fashion inspiration?

“I was born in the US and raised in Lebanon, my passion for designing was obvious very early on. I used to alter my mom’s clothes and help her pick her outfits, and by the time I graduated from high school I had already decided that my vocation was to pursue a career in the fashion field. It was only natural that I enrolled in fashion design school, Esmod Beirut in 2005, from which I graduated with honors and distinctions in 2008. I then gained experience working with world-renowned Lebanese designers Rabih Kayrouz and Georges Chakra.”

How did you start your business?
“In 2008, I was selected by the Starch Foundation,(founded by Rabih Kayrouz and Tala Hajjar), which promotes promising fresh fashion graduates, to showcase my first two collections . My creations at Starch gained instant success and recognition, which led me to co-open in 2010 “Madame Muguet”, a luxury multi-brand boutique, where my designs were displayed among other Lebanese designers’ creations. In May of 2011, I opened my first flagship boutique and Atelier in Beirut, for ready to wear, couture, accessories and bridal collections.”

What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced?

“Everything I’ve faced in my career I like to think of it as a challenge not an obstacle. The main challenge was to establish my name, and I have been able to do it through hard work.”

Where do you get your inspiration from?

“In terms of creativity and inspiration, the world around me has always been a rich source of inspiration; it provides me with flashes of creativity all day long, from the moment I wake until I go to bed, and sometimes even in my dreams. Anything can be inspiring, the music I listen to while I’m driving, interaction with people, when I’m relaxing at the beach, or reading magazines, watching other designers fashion shows, etc. Another major source of inspiration is obtained while travelling, visiting new countries and getting acquainted with new cultures and fashion salons... Inspiration is not only limited to my day to day activities, it can also be found in my dreams! I always dream about dresses or shapes and I wake up in the middle of night to draw them, and go back to sleep.”

Who are your favourite designers?

“Christian Dior - I am very fond of their designs.”

What do you think about Lebanese and/or Middle Eastern Fashion?
“On the haute couture level we are doing very well, however, the prêt à porter sector still needs development.”

What is your biggest accomplishment in regards to your career?
“I believe I’m a young designer who is progressing gradually in the fashion scene, where everyday has provided me with enriching encounters and experiences that have taught me a lot and are providing me with interesting opportunities. I think every day of my career has had its own importance so far.” 

What is your latest collection based on? 
“My latest collection is based on fairytale dresses, it’s romantic, it’s about mixing flowing and light fabrics to create the aspect of a pastel flower bouquet.”

How long did it take you to finish?
“It took about 2 months to get it done, but it was an ongoing mission I’ve put all my energy and inspiration in it.”

What’s next for you and your business?
“While my dreams for the RK Brand are big, I am currently working on reaching new markets, mainly in the Middle East and Europe, where I am putting increased efforts on spreading the renown of my creations. At a later stage, I hope to be able to develop derivative products and departments, such as a baby clothing line for example, who knows, the sky is the limit to my imagination.”

Conquering her dream one dress at a time!

Growing up around fabrics, sewing machines and having the guidance of her mother who was also a dress-maker, Veronica Al Khoury seemed destined to become a fashion designer.

“I would play dress up dolls with these fabrics and I would design them as extravagant gowns,” she says.

The talented designer launched her fashion career 30 years ago in a small shop in Wollongong where she grew up. However, her family relocated to Sydney and she continued to work out of studios and from her home.

The self-taught couture designer says she did a few courses at East Sydney Tafe which included advanced pattern making and bridal wear.

However there have been a few bumps in the road for Veronica.

She says, “lack of funding at times, taking on too much and not having the time to be as creative as I would like, sourcing the ideal fabrics for my creations. There are so many assets to fashion that it is hard to choose which is going to be the most rewarding and because I've got so many things I want to achieve, sometimes I feel that I would love to do it all at once, but that is hard to juggle at the moment”.

Her duties as a mother and wife also mean that she needs to work out a way to have “a good work-life balance without letting either side suffer”.

Veronica’s love for fabrics, colours, beautiful clothes and art have helped to continue drive her ambition to be a designer. Also having a list of inspiring role models such as Valentino, Dior and Chanel certainly helps.

Her passion for designing gowns also comes from Lebanese designers, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Tony Ward and Georges Chakra, who are leading the fashion world with their inspiring collections.

“I think that Lebanese designers are certainly leading fashion all around the world, and Lebanese people in general are very ambitious, naturally creative people and are not afraid to push the boundaries,” she says.

With the move from her store in Five Dock to Croydon Park in the pipelines, she also wants to produce a ready-to-wear evening gowns’ collection. Ultimately, she would love to keep her business in the family.

“I'm also hoping to pass this business on as a legacy to my three daughters and son. Hopefully they will be interested,” she says.

Mornings with Suzanne: a fashionable sobhiyyi!

Spending the morning with Sawt el Ghad Australia show presenter Suzanne Hourani was not only a lesson in good journalism; it was a fashionable experience.

The elegant Sobhiyyi ma3 Suzanne (Mornings with Suzanne) producer and presenter is an all in one superwoman in Australian Lebanese radio, bringing the latest in current affairs, news and entertainment to Sydney's Arabic speaking community.

Celebrating the tenth year of her show, there's no need to brag about her career or her achievements.

When she first walked through the sliding doors her impeccably styled presence illuminated the room, she definitely looked the part. You can mistaken her studio for a small office, and it's not until she starts pressing a few of the buttons in front of her and conducting her interviews; speaking into her microphone that you realise she's creating something magical for her listeners.

So now for the fashionable part...

She wore a soft pink dress with black lace covering the bodice and feathers surrounding her entire neckline all the way around to her back. The dress also fashioned an opening on her back which added to it's design. Overall it just worked great together.

I hope you love it as much as I did!

Lesson: be stylish no matter what your doing!

Lady Beirut

Beirut Souks: step into the world of luxury fashion.

Chanel Building Downtown Beirut. You will also find Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Rolex down this street.

Chloe had the most gorgeous handbags, with Yves Saint Laurent a couple stores down.



Yves Saint Laurent Leopard print handbag - so pretty!

Yves Saint Laurent black suede handbag - I didn't want to leave the store without this!

Not what I expected a Louis Vuitton window to look like. But I guess it's Louise Vuitton ... so who needs a creative window presentation.

The most intriguing window presentation I've ever seen!

Christian Louboutin store- the heels really do feel different and they look fabulous.

Outside Zara, this is the Aishti complex!  

Proves that you can still be stylish in Winter... I loved this.

I've seen so many cheap imitations of this and wanted to put it up! The pearls are so elegantly designed on this dress!  

It's been a while since my last post but there' been a slight change of plans and I'm back in Australia ... for a short time!

So while I'm here stay tuned for a preview of some fabulous work by Lebanese Australian designers!

However, before I left my beloved Lebanon I took some shots of the Beirut Souks, the fabulous world of luxury brands and shopping! I have to say it's a completely different world of precious garments made of the finest fabrics and quite opposite to the world that I shopped at growing up. It made me feel a greater appreciation for fashion and clothes making, they just fit differently.

Then it made me question whether it was the fact that I was touching a Chanel jacket, a Gucci wallet, Christian Louboutin's heels or a Yves Saint Laurent bag that made the pieces so unique and beautiful or was it because they actually were?

...Then I put on the jacket of a Chanel tweed suit and I needed to think no more. The fit was perfect and the texture was sensational.

Now I'm not saying that we should all shop at these luxury brands however investing in one-off signature peices can complete a wardrobe and an outfit.

I was restricted in taking shots of pieces that I really liked so I could share them with you but I did try to capture a few things.

The bags at Yves Saint Laurent were gorgeous and I snuck a shot of two.

Hope you enjoy the pics of my little trip to Beirut Souks. Shop the souks at : http://www.beirutsouks.com.lb/ 

Or LIKE the page on Facebook for regular updates
https://www.facebook.com/BeirutSouks

Happy shopping stylish people!

Lady Beirut.

Kibisis: Spring has come early in Sodeco.

Kibisis Spring Collection hit stores only a week ago.

Sequins will always be in.

So retro! They even come in gold.
 

Aqua sequins and burnt brown embroidery.

Sheer pinks and floals always go well with a statement long necklace! Loving this black feather necklace.

Pearl embroidery will be fashionable next season. 

gold + chains + beige = a must have for Spring.

The coolest bag ever! I LOVE BEIRUT!

So getting to know Beirut and becoming familiar with its streets can be extremely daunting. It is possibly the most beautiful crazy place in the world, but I don't think I can get over how psycho the drivers are here. With that being said whatever I had to do to get to Sodeco Square in Achrafieh was very well worth it!

'The Square' is home to some pretty amazing little boutiques and I was surprised to find that some of them had even put out their new spring collections - they look very sheike by the way and if you can check them out, don't delay. Their sales are quite reasonable as well.

One which really caught my eye was a cosy little boutique called Kibisis. It's long and narrow-shaped interior was lit up beautifully and immediately it was obvious that their spring pieces were up the front. I thought I'd died and gone to pastel heaven.

Kibisis is a one stop boutique offering everything from clothes, bags, shoes, to accessories like jewellery and scarfs.

The comming season looks like it can be a mixture of light florals (which is not a surprise because it is called Spring), pastels although stronger shades of greens are popular, lace, embroidery, sequin and you can never go wrong with block colours, however they are usually more for summer.

Seeing as though I haven't seen many Spring collections yet, I can predict that a popular style will be wearing sequins in more softer colours such as pastels and whites - both are very sexy and fun.

Be sure to pop into the store and check out their sales.

Happy shopping lovelies!

Lady Beirut

 

Welcome to Beirut!

Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring Summer 2013

Welcome to Beirut!

For those of you visiting the Lady Beirut blog it's because you to are in support of Lebanese fashion and style, and let's face it you are proud of the fact that we do it well!

And for those of you who don't know much about Beirut, stay tuned ... it's a little piece of heaven, who's people not only live and breathe fashion but are true lovers of life!

Lebanon is argurably the newest breeding ground for fashion, producing masterminds like Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Rabih Kayrouz, Lara Khoury, Mireille Dagher, Papou Lahoud, Robert Abi Nader, Abed Mahfouz, Nemer Saade ... and I think you get my drift!

So a little bit about me ... I was born in Australia and I'm a journalist. I have a background in politics and international relations, however my passion and first love has always been fashion. I definitely get my thrill out of styling myself and people. I have recently relocated to Beirut to work and so I am still learning about this amazing city and all that it has to offer, so I look forward to sharing my experiences.

For weeks now I've been looking for the perfect picture to publish with my first post and there were a few favourites but nothing that really captured Lebanese style! Until I stumbled across Elie Saab's latest Haute Couture Spring Summer 2013 collection! This wedding dress is just divine! It depicts elegance, timelessness, class, profound detail and the sheer brilliance of Elie Saab's work.

So who better to launch the Lady Beirut blog than with the work of an icon.

I have chosen to launch this blog on Jan 26 because it's Australia Day and by doing so it allows me to celebrate both my Lebanese and Australian heritage.

This blog will also promote Australian designers and fashion, and you will soon learn that Aussies too know a thing or two about fashion.

So to my Aussies out there Happy Australia Day!!!

I'm happy to hear your thoughts about my blog, if there are certain things you'd like me to post like an outfit you look darling in or if you wanted me to preview any products just email me at ladybeirut.style@gmail.com.

To the Lebanese people around the world, this blog's for you so keep on flaunting that up-scale Lebanese style ... you're fabulous!

Thanks for checking out and supporting my blog in advance!

Lady Beirut