Episode 35- Joe Challita: The Lebanese Fashion Aficionado OpensUp About Lebanon’s Couture Contribution To The World

Joe is the Founder of Lebanese Fashion History on Instagram, and he is the Fashion Editor of Marie Claire Arabia. His knowledge of Lebanese fashion history is like nonother. When I think of Joe, for me, he’s the Suzy Menkes of Lebanese couture history. He dives into Lebanon’s rich couture history that goes back to the 1920s, unpacking the country’s impact on the fashion industry. So, enjoy this podcast episode with Joe Challita.

Episode 4- Recuperating After The Beirut Explosion, Fashion Designer Rabih Kayrouz Has Come Back With A Shift In His Brand And A New AW21 Collection

Rabih Kayrouz founded his brand Maison Rabih Kayrouz [ MRK] in 1999, embodying a couture savoir-faire House. He’s laid back and loves to have a good time. On the night of his twenty-fifth anniversary party in Paris a few years ago, Rabih danced the night away with his closest friends. He’s a good dancer I might add.

And then August 4, 2020 happened and Rabih was one of many physically affected by Beirut’s explosion that rocked Lebanon. He hasn’t given many interviews since then. The famed designer suffered a brain hemorrhage, two clots, and twenty-two stitches that day. As a result, there was a limited ready-to-wear collection last September and no haute couture collection in January, as Kayrouz took a step back to physically and emotionally heal.

Today, 7 months after the explosion Rabih is refocusing MRK. He taking it back to the basics, back to its roots, and back to the House’s iconic pieces giving new breath. His new collection is filled with wrap around coats, capes, trench coats, pants and skirts that a woman can use for any moment.

Enjoy this podcast episode with Rabih where he talks about how he’s been spending the past few months and his refocus of MRK.