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.

Episode 3: Ever Bold and Ever Talented Egyptian Actress Amina Khalil Opens Up About Acting in A Time Of Corona, Fashion, and How Once Living In NYC Made Her Independent

Photo Credit: Ahmed Zaatar | MakeUP: Perry Saber

Born in Chicago, Egyptian-American actress Amina Khalil is an influential woman. As a child she would act out Disney movie scenes, casting her friends to play other roles, so it’s no surprise to those who know her best that she’s an actress. But, she’s not in it for the fame, acting is her way of connecting with people.

Her roles bring attention to the culture of the Middle East and the challenges women face in society. In a series called Leh La’a (‘Why Not?’) in english, directed by Mariam Ab, Khalil played a thirty-year-old woman who wants to gain independence from her family, move out, get a job, and live on her own. It was planned that she would marry, and though the marriage wasn’t arranged, it was a pushed union and Khalil’s character brought attention to this.

The thirty-two-year-old and I talk about a range of topics from acting, women in the Middle East, her experience of living alone in NYC- something that’s not the norm for single Arab women, her overcoming Covid, fashion, and her charity work.

Episode 2: Tenacious Egyptian Actress Tara Emad Opens Up About Her Journey From Modeling To Film, And Why Almost Giving Up On Her Dream Was Not An Option

Photo Credit: Batool Al Daawi

Tara Emad is an Egyptian actress and model. Her father is Egyptian father and her mother comes from the former Yugoslavia.

Tara started her career when she was 4-years-old, appearing numerous TV commercials, and she started working as a clothing model at the age of 14. In 2010 when she was 17, Tara participated in the Miss World beauty pageant for teenagers in Brazil, winning “Miss Africa” and the first-runner up for Miss World for Teens. After high school, Tara began studying Business Administration at American University in Cairo and pursued “acting workshops” with actor Ahmed Kamal and online with American organizations. Her first acting experience was in 2011 in the TV series “El Gama’a” (University) directed by Hani Khalifa in which she acted alongside other young actors. 

I sat down with Emad at her hotel room during the October 2020 El Gouna Film Festival in El Gouna Egypt to do this interview. We talk fashion, her acting work, the festival, and her charitable work. 

Episode 1: Never Seen Without Her Flared Pants, Country Star Lainey Wilson Opens Up About Her Fashion Style, Faith, And Music

Lainey has a distinct retro style that makes her easily spotted in a room. Since she was a child, Lainey hasn’t been seen without bell bottom flared pants, on stage or off. It’s her style and her warm and inviting Southern personality makes Lainey attractive to her fans in the US and around the world.

This is my second time interviewing the singer from Baskin, Louisiana. She exudes Southern graces with her thick down South accent, and she’s ever so humble and down to earth….

The Soulful Side Of Life Podcast Trailer

As a child, I was enthralled with history and biographies. I struggled in Math and Science, but one rainy Friday day, my 4th grade teacher pointed out I was good in History and my life changed at that moment. I decided that day I would major in History. So that’s what I did 9 years later, I entered university in Washington, DC to study History- a continuation of learning and analyzing people’s lives and decisions. I interned in the US Congress, at The White House, and for NGOs; and volunteered on political campaigns, and worked in the city after graduation. But moving to London to study for my Masters changed my worldview. I’ve lived in 9 countries and have found myself in a completely different arena: fashion. Over the past 6 years, I have developed an eye for couture craftsmanship, learning how to put intricate and detailed collections into words. As a result, I have developed relationships with some of the world's most leading brands, covering Paris, Milan, New York, and Riyadh Fashion Week shows. I also have a faith and lifestyle magazine, Seele that I founded. I decided to launch ‘The Soulful Side Of Life,’ an amalgamation of my experiences, where I interview people in areas that have touched my life in: fashion, faith, entertainment, music, business, and entrepreneurship. The podcast is an extension of my interests in discussing people’s stories.

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please follow.

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