Dresses are lean and easy going, while skirts, tops and knitwear play with volume and sculptural shapes. “I’m always asked what’s Oriental in my work and I feel that
“From the first drape it’s a whole process. Nothing is studied in my designs, it’s all intuitive, I never plan anything”
it’s my draping and folding, the way the fabrics embrace the body in an intimate
bès-Batroun, it references an area of Paris densely populated by North Africans (Barbès), in counterpoint with the mellow seaside town north of Beirut where Kayrouz used to live
during the summer months (Batroun).
way.” Having won the respect of fashion critics from New York For Autumn/Winter this embrace comes inspired by
to Paris, the designer welcomes his renown for archi-
a quintessentially Oriental scenario – the traditional
tectural pieces. “It is correct as what I do is really an act
hammam. “I wanted to express this Oriental feeling
construction – I build shapes around the body.” Those
about the attitude of getting dressed, how you hold
shapes range from angular to flowing and feature layer-
yourself, how you hold your dress when coming from
ing that adds motion and detail. “I have my own way of
the beach or from a Turkish bath.” Togas, wraps and
cutting which gives my work its identity. But every sea-
robes swathe the body in a cool contemporary way
son is an evolution as my cuts gradually mature. They
that looks sporty as well as Arabesque. Named Bar-
take the collection to a new place each time.”
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