IN HIS SHOES: HUSSEIN BAZAZA

Born in July 1990 in Beirut Lebanon, Hussein Bazaza is Esmod graduate in Fashion Design and Pattern Making.  After interning in big Lebanese fashion houses such Maison Rabih Kayrouz and Elie Saab, Hussein decided to work on his own line and launched his first collection in 2012. Couple years and awards later, Hussein Bazaza have become the must-see fashion show at FFWD. We’ve had the pleasure to interview him and just as expected he welcomed us to his world, took us back to his journey and gave us an insight on the brands future.

1-  You launched your brand 4 years ago, why did you decide it was time to do so after working with known designers such as Elie Saab and Rabih Kayrouz?

After everything I had learned in my previous years, it seemed like the final step. It was actually the biggest risk I had to take. I was simply convinced that I was ready to start my own brand despite all the consequences.

2- Were you scared when you launched your brand and how do you feel now looking back?

I had so many doubts and it was scary, but everyone around me encouraged me and pushed me to finally make that step. I’m grateful that it all worked out in the end, and I can say that it was the best decision I have ever made.

3- Your brand is known for its couture details, can you tell us about the process and how long on average does it take to make just one gown?

The process of creating a gown goes from sketching, choosing the fabrics, to sampling details’ finishing, and hand embroidery, as well as finishing the artwork of our prints. Usually, it would take up to two weeks to make just one dress.

4-  How important is it for you to produce in Beirut?

It is fairly important to produce in Beirut; it is our home and country so as we export internationally, we are aiding its economy as much as we can, all the while empowering the local workers.

5- Where do you usually get your inspiration from?

My inspirations come from anything and everything. Every collection has a story behind it; I make up a tale with its own characters and vividly envision it to let my dresses bring them to life.

6-   Who is the Hussein Bazaza woman?

She is the complex independent woman, the one that clearly represents the “Ombre et Lumiere” aspect. She is attracted to beauty offered by Mother Nature; not to its simplicity but rather to the deep hidden secrets it offers.

She is a hopeless romantic but only behind closed doors with herself; to others, she is dramatic, edgy and realistic.

She chooses to reveal only what she wants you to see, her femininity is her own treasure which she allows the world to see on her own terms.

This woman and her particular perception of life is unique and sets her own rules, she does not abide by society’s customs.

She is the Hussein Bazaza woman; the perfect woman for my dresses.

 

8-   How did you feel when you found out you had Farida Khelfa, Stella Jean and Vogue Arabia in your front row?

It felt really great to realize that we can have powerful people in the fashion industry sitting in our front row at a fashion show in the Middle East. I was truly honored.

7- Your SS 17 collection Areef was inspired by a mermaid, why did you choose such a usual theme and how did you manage to turn it into something completely different and unexpected?

At the beginning, my biggest fear was that people would consider the inspiration to be rather common, but the star of my tale was actually the sailor, Areef, and not the mermaid. I wanted to turn it into something rather different with a love story to add more drama and edginess to it so that it became unusual.

9- Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

I see Hussein Bazaza as a RTW brand for both men and women, internationally found in department stores.

 

 

 

Comments

comments