BIOGRAPHY

Rabih Kayrouz is an internationally renowned Lebanese fashion designer, and creater and founder of the fashion house Maison Rabih Kayrouz, which was established in Paris, in 2009.

Kayrouz migrated to Paris at the young age of sixteen to study at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. After training for several months in the workshops of design houses of giants Dior and Chanel, Kayrouz returned to Lebanon in 1995, where he developed his highly acclaimed reputation for designing exquisite evening gowns and exceptionally designed wedding dresses.

In 2008, Kayrouz also founded the non-profit organization, Starch Foundation, which supports and helps young Lebanese designers launch and promote their debut collections.

In 2009, Kayrouz returned to Paris to open his own design house at 38, Boulevard Raspail, a place charged with history. This location was previously “Le Petit Theatre de Babylone” where Samuel Beckett’s play “Waiting for Godot” was performed for the first time.

Since 2009, Kayrouz has been a guest designer for the Chambre Synidcale de la Haute Couture, with his seasonal collections included in the bi-annual Paris haute-couture fashion shows.

Kayrouz has appeared in both the couture and ready-to-wear calendars in Paris, since March 2012. While the Rabih Kayrouz label is exclusive to the world’s most prestigious boutiques and department stores, the designer’s collaboration with La Redoute in 2012 confirmed his widespread appeal.

Rabih Kayrouz will be giving a talk about Starch Foundation and participating in a panel discussion about Middle Eastern Designer Differentiation.

BRAND CONCEPT

Rabih Kayrouz is praised for his architectural cuts and exacting construction, but the designer’s approach is far from rational. Emotion is the crux of his ready-to-wear label, which launched in 2009 with the opening of Maison Rabih Kayrouz in Paris. He works instinctively to design garments that embody comfort, confidence and, most importantly, joy.

Beyond pragmatism and pleasure, Kayrouz’s work reflects exceptional craftsmanship. It was this delicate balance that won over the international press and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, who invited him to participate in the official calendar of couture fashion shows in 2009.

Kayrouz had been designing dresses for private clients since 1997, but the decision to include his premier collection marked a first in couture. Showing 4 collections per year, Kayrouz continues to apply rigorous hautecouture style codes to his ready-to-wear collection, and his distinctive ease to couture.

Topics to be discussed and corresponding timings to be announced on April 8th.