chaos of Beirut is forgotten. The familiar sounds of traffic and construction are left behind, and everything gets a little quieter. Floor-sweeping gowns, structured dresses and contemporary two-pieces are everywhere along with Idriss’s own works of art, the room’s centrepiece an imposing and majestic bridal gown. The space is a haven among the madness, where clients can leave the real world behind and get lost in a dream of material and mirrors.
“When it comes to building my collections, I work very hard to not be too literal,” says Idriss. “I easily slip into the fantasy land of my themes.” Themes like mystery and arcana, ancient gods, otherworldliness and ageold human emotions and desires. “I create clothes for clients who want to send messages, of attractiveness, of sophistication, of elegance. And I feel so privileged to work with what I love and with themes I’m obsessed with. I really get to live it.” Idriss talks about his upcoming Spring/Summer 2017 collection entitled L’enfant Terrible, and even more mysteriously his Autumn/Winter 2017 collection
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“WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING MY COLLECTIONS, I WORK VERY HARD TO NOT BE TOO LITERAL. I EASILY SLIP INTO THE FANTASY LAND OF MY THEMES” influenced by Greek mythology. “The lineup is inspired by gods created by men to mirror our deepest desires, fears and everything in between,” he says with a grin. “It’s amazing to see women wear pieces of my stories,” he adds. “This is how I watch my own fantasies come to life, and take their first steps into reality.” But what is reality?
“I believe reality is nothing more than a relative illusion,” Idriss says. “I also believe that the more creative you are, the more you allow yourself to fantasize. My job is to fulfil one of three fantasies: the fantasy of being an object of desire, the fantasy of (women) dominating other women and the fantasy of expressing a mood or state of mind.” He’s certainly succeeding. In this dress I feel both incredibly desirable and desirous yet also immensely powerful. And Idriss is right about the manicure too, you know. Black nails. It has to be black nails. For more see hassidriss.com