Rami Kadi has taken us all by storm, since the super star Miriam Fares and Razan Maghrabi appeared on the T.V show "Ana wel 3asal" wearing two stunning dresses carrying his signature. Those two specially customized dresses has made the name Rami Kadi echo in almost every fashion-loving house. I myself has been admiring his charming and tailored with sophistication dresses that highly reflects the alluring character of the Arabian woman. So when I got the chance I had to interview him, to know and let all my readers know more about this outstandingly talented Lebanese designer.
1- Tell us more about yourself and about your background.
Born in the US and raised in Lebanon, my passion for designing was obvious very early on. 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. 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.
2- Why did you get into fashion?
I have been interested in fashion for as long as I remember. From my very early childhood, 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.
3- What inspires you ?
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.
4- How do you see the fashion scene in Lebanon?
Lebanese designers have mastered the art of haute couture and have proven that our creativity and elegance is leading on a worldwide scale. Nonetheless, I do believe that we still lack the needed effort in prêt-a-porter collections, that would allow us to compete with the top brands worldwide.
5- Who were the celebrities you designed dresses for?
The Queen of stage Myriam Fares, Razan Moghrabi, Nicole Saba, Haifa Wehbe, Miss Lebanon 2011
6- Which dress took you the longest time and effort to make?
One particular wedding dress which took 4 months of continuous work, where we worked with 300 meters of fabrics, including lace dipped in 24 carat gold. The long hours of work and detailing on this dress have definitely paid off, where I believe the result was worth every second spent.
7- Who is your favorite international designer?
John Galliano and the Dior saga
8- Which celebrity do you wish to design a gown for?
I have been honored to work with many celebrities, whom I love and admire such as Myriam Fares, and would love to work with many others, however if I had to choose just one, I would go for The queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese, an artist who masters the art of seduction and whose fashionism and attitude captivated me long ago. There's something about Dita that glows with elegance and captivates everyone around her. She is the kind of women who turns heads wherever she goes.
9- How can people get your designs?
At the Rami Kadi Boutique, in Clemenceau - Beirut
10- Future plans?
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.
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| Rami deigned Nicole Saba's wedding dress |
Born in the US and raised in Lebanon, my passion for designing was obvious very early on. 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. 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.
2- Why did you get into fashion?
I have been interested in fashion for as long as I remember. From my very early childhood, 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.
3- What inspires you ?
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.
 |
| Rami with Nicole Saba |
Lebanese designers have mastered the art of haute couture and have proven that our creativity and elegance is leading on a worldwide scale. Nonetheless, I do believe that we still lack the needed effort in prêt-a-porter collections, that would allow us to compete with the top brands worldwide.
5- Who were the celebrities you designed dresses for?
The Queen of stage Myriam Fares, Razan Moghrabi, Nicole Saba, Haifa Wehbe, Miss Lebanon 2011
6- Which dress took you the longest time and effort to make?
One particular wedding dress which took 4 months of continuous work, where we worked with 300 meters of fabrics, including lace dipped in 24 carat gold. The long hours of work and detailing on this dress have definitely paid off, where I believe the result was worth every second spent.
7- Who is your favorite international designer?
John Galliano and the Dior saga
8- Which celebrity do you wish to design a gown for?
I have been honored to work with many celebrities, whom I love and admire such as Myriam Fares, and would love to work with many others, however if I had to choose just one, I would go for The queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese, an artist who masters the art of seduction and whose fashionism and attitude captivated me long ago. There's something about Dita that glows with elegance and captivates everyone around her. She is the kind of women who turns heads wherever she goes.
9- How can people get your designs?
At the Rami Kadi Boutique, in Clemenceau - Beirut
10- Future plans?
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.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteNice post about fashion interview. We were thinking of doing something for local designers in Kansas City to help them get started and sell their clothes at very reasonable prices.
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