Behind-Ze-Dress: & in the clouds with Lara Khoury

I don't believe in chance...nor coincidence. On my most recent trip to Beirut, I was only supposed to be there for 9 days, instead I was there for 45. In those 45 days, I met a bunch of inspiring people, and Lara Khoury was one of them.

The reason why I mention chance is because I truely believe that every tiny detail in our lives is connected to a larger chain of events...We don't just meet people for no reason, we don't just find ourselves in a certain situation for no reason, we don't just have a trip cancelled or delayed for no reason...

I didn't meet Lara by chance, here's why: My best friend who lived/worked in Qatar quit his job and came to Lebanon, luckily I end up staying longer than 9 days therefore I end up seeing him!Through him I meet the most awesome Lebanese girl who lives in Bahrain and is there to celebrate her nuptials. Since I'm a blogger, this awesome-Lebanese-girl says she wants to introduce me to her cousin, who's a designer. Her cousin, Lara, then joins us for a lovely day at the beach. We get to talking and even though I'm travelling after a couple of days, (or so I thought for the 3rd time) I schedule a visit to her atelier! I love it when tiny details, actions and circumstances lead us to just where we want to be, when we least expect it...

Now, let's meet Lara...

An item from her "Gluttony" collection..we always want more more more!

What about Lebanon inspires you?

The free spirit of the post war generation, which I find myself in, is very interesting to me. I’m one of those people who really don’t care about politics and all of those restraints and obstacles that many Lebanese add to their everyday lives. When I first started, I didn’t have anything holding me back. I couldn’t have been this liberal in my work, life and being if it wasn’t for Lebanon. We’re doing what our parents would never have expected us to do, they would have expected us to continue their war, but I’m not willing to do that. There’s a part of Beirut that makes me wish more for it. I want Lebanon to be a safer place very soon! A more inspiring place…that’s my dream.

If you had the chance to relocate to another country, would you?

No I wouldn’t. Me being here in the first place is destiny. Two days before the 2006 war with Israel, I came back for a holiday visit from Paris, where I was studying at the time and had been planning to settle. I got stuck in Lebanon, like many others did, and lost my student visa. If that hadn’t happened I wouldn’t have all of this! I would be working as a slave for some big fashion house, or I would’ve changed my field altogether due to the crisis in Europe!  
That’s why I think we should always go with the flow, and never go against the odds.

How would you describe style and fashion in Lebanon, whether it’s on the street, or high end?
It’s definitely not on the street which is too bad because we have diverse mind sets living here, yet they don’t all have a platform to express their style. The people who are liberate in the way they dress, may feel a bit-out-of-place which is why they may hold back sometimes. The daring style is mostly seen in events, weddings or dinners.

Which area(s) in Beirut would you say has a unique streetstyle?

Ashrafieh, Saifi village and Mar mikhael.

What can you say about the evolution of fashion in Lebanon?
Elie saab is known as a fashion pioneer in Lebanon. I believe he’s the one who put Lebanon on the global fashion map and paved the way for other talented designers such as Rabih Keyrouz.  The current, younger generation of designers who studied under their patronage are the ones who are bringing something new to the table. I feel that the people are growing and maturing along with the culture of the country.  For example, the influx of young westerners who are moving here and showing an interest in the heritage, is exposing us to even more diversity which is always inspiring!

Let’s talk about your designs and what distinguishes you from other designers. I’ve realized that you use a lot of loose garments as opposed to fitted,form-flattering pieces, what does that mean to you?

My vision of the female body involves a concept of deformation.  As opposed to flaunting the typical assets of a woman, I choose to distort the curves. Volume is the new sexy for me. I still aim on making a woman look and feel attractive, but from a different perspective. I enjoying challenging myself and women to redefine the term ‘sexy’ and I love it when I hear a client say: “waw, it’s nice, but would I dare to wear it?”

What about colors, which ones do you use the most?
I aim for black, because you can’t have both volume and colors. For me the subtle colors work more for the volumes. I think I’m in love with blue…

Tell me about your obsession with the tulle in this collection?

For this collection, tulle was very inspiring for me. Not only was I able to create large volume but wearing the pieces almost felt like being on a cloud. When you wear it, you don’t really feel that you have so much volume…you just feel a like a fairy!

The blue skirt in the center is the color she likes the most...

I wanted to ask you about your workshop and the mix of materials used? Tell me more about that…This place is actually my 3 bedroom apartment which I decided to turn into my workshop! Cynthia Zahar did an awesome job designing it. We decided to first tear down all the walls and have one big space. We have those big doors which we open and close to create different spaces, for work time and show room time. It’s very functional for my business.I wanted to take an old factory but we couldn’t, so I used pulleys (above photo) that you find in factories to hang my designs. I also wanted to express my love for Beirut, that’s why we recuperated pieces of wooden doors from the streets and integrated them in the parquet and the walls! That’s the contrast between steel and wood!

The door that serves as a seperator between the atelier and showroom

I’m sure you get asked this question a lot, but many people would love to know what It was like working for Elie Saab?

He’s a very big man in fashion, a great designer, but we have differing styles. When I first started,it was interesting because it was my first job, I was amazed about everything happening. I had a position in the workshop where I worked directly with Elie, then in the studio where I would design. The experience allowed me to understand how a fashion company works, which you don’t learn in school.

What do you like to do in your free time? *drink tequila*
I spend my free time basically…partying a lot. Since I’m a workaholic, I tend to spend all my free time here at work so I don’t have time for myself. When I realize it’s starting to get dark and I need to get out, I go and party. I’m a part animal!

Where would you tell art loving tourists to visit in Lebanon?

The BAC, ashkal alwan and papercup are intimate places that only locals would know about. They’re very small and non-commercial which is why I go there to get inspired. Although Gemmayzeh was a pretty traditional destination, I think they’ve ruined it now. I would also suggest the area of Jbeil, and Batroun.

Lara's thoughts in 1 one word, about....

I'm not a journalist nor am I a reporter. I just love being inspired by people, and passing on that inspiration to others!  I hope you were as inspired by Lara, as I was...to be fearless in your style, believe in destiny, think outside the box, and have faith when everything seems hopeless. Many of us have the same hopes for Lebanon as Lara does, as a safe place where we can not just live, but dream freely.

For the readers outside the Middle East, I hope this blog can serve as a portal to get to know Lebanese designers and the culture that feeds their creativity...

Last but not least, I suggest you check out the trashy treasures event that's still going on in Mar Mikhael...and which Lara is a part of :)

For info and updates, visit the designer's facebook group here or her website.