7 great Lebanese fashion designers to know now
The country is home to some of the world's most exciting couture, ready-to-wear and accessory brands
By Amy de Klerk
Kristy SparowGetty Images
If Lebanese fashion is not on your radar yet, now is the time to change that. The country is home to some of the most well-renowned designers in the world, some of which feature on the prestigious Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week calendar and have gone on to dress some of the most famous women in the world. Many of these talents are known for their glamorous and intricate designs, bringing the modern-day princess aesthetic to life. Alongside this are more contemporary, cult accessory labels which are fast becoming favourites with the A-list and influencer crowd.
Sadly, the country has been badly impacted upon by the recent devastating explosion in the heart of Beirut, which not only killed and injured many but also physically destroyed homes and businesses in the area - including the ateliers of many of the labels listed below.
Scroll down to learn more about and to shop collections from some of our favourite Lebanese designers. And, if you are able to help those affected by the explosion, we encourage you to make a donation to one of these charities.
A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld) on Sep 10, 2020 at 9:09am PDT
As one of the biggest names in couture, Elie Saab has been dressing some of the most famous women in the world for years. From Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie to Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander, the designer has been part of some of fashion's biggest red-carpet moments, creating dresses for the most glittering of events - from the Cannes Film Festival to the Academy Awards.
Known for his more-is-more approach to embellishment and exquisite attention to detail, there is little surprise that so many of the world's most glamorous women turn to him for their most important occasions. And, Saab is a name to know even if you aren't looking for couture. A favourite on the ready-to-wear runway too, his work exudes a modern take on elegance – think tiered dresses and sleek jumpsuits with feathered detailing that will be great for your evening wardrobe.
A post shared by GEORGES HOBEIKA (@georgeshobeika) on May 14, 2020 at 9:55am PDT
Another Lebanese name on the Paris Couture Fashion Week calendar is Georges Hobeika, whose designs have been worn by everyone from Chrissy Teigen to Priyanka Chopra and Heidi Klum. The extremely glamorous gowns that make up the haute couture and ready-to-wear collections are all about drama and opulence, while the label also delivers with some seriously on-point accessories, including leather totes that any woman would dream to add to their arsenal. Plus, if you are a bride-to-be and want to feel like a true princess on your big day, make sure to check out the label's bridal collections, too.
A post shared by Zuhair Murad Official (@zuhairmuradofficial) on Mar 27, 2020 at 8:40am PDT
A couture label loved by Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid and Kerry Washington, Zuhair Murad is another of the biggest names to come out of Beirut. The designer – who originally hails from Baalbek in Lebanon – launched his namesake label in 1997 where he sold to a small private clientele, before joining the Paris couture schedule in 2005. Now a world-renowned designer, Murad also creates ready-to-wear and accessories as well as couture, bringing a serious dose of optimism and glamour to everything he designs.
Alexandra Hakim
A post shared by Alexandra Hakim Jewellery (@alexandrahakim) on May 20, 2020 at 6:37am PDT
Although Lebanon might be most famous for its extensive array of couture designers, there are also plenty of accessory-focused labels to come out of it. These include Alexandra Hakim, a sustainable jewellery designer who specialises in giving a new lease of life to materials which would otherwise go to waste. She creates colourful, often metallic pieces which are meticulously made by hand, each completely unique and zero-waste.
Andrea Wazen
A post shared by ANDREA WAZEN (@andreawazen) on Jul 1, 2020 at 5:06am PDT
Another Lebanese accessory designer who has been making waves in the fashion industry is Andrea Wazen, whose Beirut-based business has caught the eye of many celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Sienna Miller, suggesting that she might just be the next cult shoe label to put on your radar.
"There is a love story between a woman and her shoes," Wazen told us of the magic that goes into her work. "A great pair is not just one that you wear, it's one that makes you hold yourself differently and gives you confidence, a sense of power."
You can read more about Wazen in our profile on the designer here.
Sandra Mansour
A post shared by s a n d r a m a n s o u r (@sandramansour) on May 7, 2020 at 9:10am PDT
Sandra Mansour is a real fashion-editor favourite, a designer whose work is a truly modern take on romantic dressing – think statement silhouettes, intricate details and an ethereal aesthetic. Worn by plenty of the world's most stylish influencers, Mansour's profile has gone from strength to strength in recent months, even launching her very own collection with H&M recently, one which celebrated nature. Find out more about that and shop the collection here.
A post shared by GEORGES CHAKRA (@georgeschakraofficial) on Dec 23, 2019 at 11:30am PST
This round-up would not be complete without the mention of Georges Chakra, one of the most famous designers to have come out of Lebanon. Not only has his work been worn by some of the biggest A-listers around (Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively and Helen Mirren to name a few), but the designer's collections were also featured on perhaps fashion's favourite film, The Devil Wears Prada, confirming Chakra's very firm place at the top of the industry.
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