Rare are the
days, or even moments, that these eyes and brain find something that pique my
fashion interest. What is even rarer is that a show will allow you the time to
digest what has quickly paraded down a runway. I was lucky enough to be invited
to the Oday Shakar showroom for an up close and personal view of the collection
as well as meet the man responsible for the design. The collection is what
might be called modern yet rooted in the past by extracting only the finest
details and aura of those times. Translation ... Modern, urbane, classic not
boring and finally elegant.
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The
collection exceeded my expectations as no matter how close you sit at that show
you never quite see the clothes as they need to be seen. What intrigued me so
much is that that many of the pieces had the distinct flavor of something that
was familiar to me. What I am trying to say is that the clothes reminded me of
when discerning women owned beautifully made, elegant and glamorous gowns or
cocktail dresses that were worn for gala occasions as well as special nights
out. Please do not misconstrue my words and think this is some retread retro revival
collection but instead this is a collection and a designer who was prescient in
revitalizing what was once considered to be chic, tasteful and de rigeur for those
who set the standards for being well dressed. Simply said, the collection smarts
of times when we had real tastemakers and trend setters with independent taste, breeding
and marriages to sustain those titles and not the faux tasteful of today. Most
importantly is that there are women who still desperately want to look beautiful while
being dressed appropriately!
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With all
that said, Oday Shakar is on the precipice of his global launch which will take
place at the MODA OPERANDI MEWS in London beginning on October 24. (Sorry for
the short notice). The collection will be available during a 14 day trunk show at that location and on October 21, the collection will go live on their
website as well. So, I was lucky to catch up with this young man on the cusp of
what we hope to be a long future in the world of fashion.
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Jeffrey Felner:
If you could invite any 5 people to
dinner, who would they be and why?
Oday Shakar:
Queen Rania because I really would love to hear her thoughts on the future of
the Middle East. Deepak Chopra, I would love his
input on fulfilling my destiny and dreams.
Madonna because she rocks. Shakira, she has
accomplished so much in her young life and still seems grounded. She’s also the
youngest UN Ambassador! Valentino, hoping he would share some stories about his amazing life and
career as a designer.
JF: Do you have a mentor or style icon that constantly inspires you? Who
and why have you chosen them?
OS: Halston’s designs
inspire me. He created designs that were breathtaking, effortless and timeless
but always original. I keep that in mind when I design.
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JF: If you could select any 3 people to dress, who would they be and why?
OS: 1. Beyonce because I
respect her artistry and she is the best at what she does. 2. Shakira because her style and esthetic is very much in the same world
as mine. She is half Lebanese and she appeals to the world. 3. Emma Stone
because she exudes confidence and class
JF: When designing, who
do you see as your ideal customer and why have you focused on her?
OS: My ideal customers
are the women who are close to me in my everyday life. They are classy yet
edgy, sexy, cultured and bold and they want options and looks that are
different yet functional and wearable.
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JF: If you could choose any collaborator on a new project, who would that
be and why that project?
OS: Christian Louboutin,
I would love to design and create shoes someday, what fun would it be to
collaborate with the red sole man himself?
