What could ever make the celebration of a Maison’s anniversary even more goosebump-worthy? Why, for it to coincide with Mother’s Day and subsequently with the start of Spring of course!
Indeed, it was on the 21st of March that the region’s fashion industry celebrated 20 years of Maison Rabih Kayrouz, at the heart of its new atelier located in the 19th Century Dagher Palace in Beirut’s Gemmayze district. It’s been 20 years since the Lebanese designer launched his eponymous line in Beirut. 20 years of the brand receiving tremendous praise and gaining huge momentum. 20 years that the Maison spent perfecting its exquisite savoir-faire and expertise. And boy was it worth the wait, as the designer was recently awarded Haute Couturier status by the French Couture Federation.
But it was only 10 years ago that the Lebanese designer took his creativity and talent to the French capital, Paris. He opened his Maison at the heart of Paris and ignited a new art; the art of juggling two worlds, East (Beirut) and West (Paris) – Ready-to-Wear and Couture. And so, the new move to Gemmayze is considered as a huge milestone in the House’s portfolio, as it gathers both the showroom and atelier in one single space, and is hence home to both Haute Couture and ready-to-wear collections. Pure bliss in Gemmayze’s fabulously alive streets.
Rabih Kayrouz stated: “I was looking for a new place where I could combine everything and focus my energy in one place. Then by chance I visited an exhibition in this marvelous house, and I knew this was where I was meant to be. Just like that, I felt I had come home. It was clear to me from the first moment where everything should and would be in this magical space.”
And as promised, on the day of celebration and launch of the new atelier, guests stepped into an epic showroom that could only be described as the mirror of the designer’s oriental-meets-Parisian style. Beginning with a heart-warming speech during the private dinner, the Lebanese designer was surrounded by his team, friends and the press as he counted the evolution of his Maison and showed his invitees the creativity behind his prestigious couture pieces and his new ready-to-wear bridal collection. The soirée was filled with music, laughter, joy and celebration as the designer revealed all the gory details about his Atelier, except for his “cabinet de curiosité”, also known as the inner sanctum for private fittings and exclusive orders.
But perhaps the most eye-grabbing detail about the elegant Dagher Palace – restored by owner-architect Fadlo Dagher – is its relation with art in all its glory. The House will be home to art installations created by artists and designers to embellish the space. Every season will hence welcome new masterpieces, as a nod to the designer’s affinity with the world of art.
Article Written by Cindy Menassa
