For Caroline Seikaly fashion is passion

(MENAFN- Arab News) Caroline Seikaly is an American-Lebanese designer with French roots. She grew up in the United States and studied fashion design at the Rhode Island School of Design and while she was there she also had the opportunity to collaborate with Isaac Mizrahi in New York.
After graduation Seikaly moved to Paris to gain experience in Haute Couture with Christian Lacroix. Post this in 1999 she joined Karl Lagerfeld's creative team and was involved in the development of Lagerfeld Gallery. In 2006 she decided to branch out to develop her own brand and that led her to where she is today.
'I was always fascinated with the glamor of the fashion industry from a young age. I used to watch a lot of very old movies and I loved the looks the color and the overall chic and refined style of those eras' she said. 'That fascination eventually turned into my passion and I always knew that fashion was where I wanted to be' she added.
Arab News interviewed Seikaly to find out more about her passion for fashion her experience brand and future plans.

You interned at Christian Lacroix in Paris and a few months later you got a job at the Lagerfeld Gallery. Tell us about this experience.
Both experiences were extremely beneficial in my growth as a designer. I learned different lessons from each opportunity. For example I learned how to have a lot of discipline and very importantly how to work in a team. In addition to this I was able to observe two masters of our time and learn from their ways which was a great privilege for me.

What encouraged you to start your own brand?
Having my own brand was something I always wanted to do. When I branched out on my own in 2006 I did so knowing that I had learnt as much as I could in each of the experiences I had till that date and it was time to apply all of those to my own line.

What inspires you when working on a new collection?
Different things lead to inspiration when working on a collection. Anything from a movie to music to a print I have seen can contribute to the designs I am working on. For example the SS15 collection is very 1960s and was inspired by a mix of James Bond and Uma Thurman in 'Pulp Fiction'.

What fabrics and materials do you usually work with?
Each collection varies and my first source of inspiration is the fabric I choose. That said chiffons and lace tend to be my fabrics of choice as I feel they have a very neat and elegant finish. I love to convey a sense of movement with each of my pieces and feel that these fabrics really enhance that aspect in each design.

Who did you dress and who do you wish to dress from the Middle East?
I recently met Jessica Kahawaty in Paris. She is not only gorgeous and elegant but has such a sweet personality. She has worn some of my pieces in the past and I would love to dress her again.

Tell us more about your personal style.
I am a mother and a wife so it is key to be able to move around easily while looking elegant! I feel like it is important to look elegant but also be functional at the same time. I don't want to feel stiff or unable to move so it is key that my clients also don't feel restricted by what they are wearing.

What is it that you know now and you wish you knew back in 2006 when you first started your brand?
I realize now how important funding is for the development and growth of a brand. This is a lesson that designers should learn from a young age in order to ensure the success of their brand.

Tell us about the lace dress.
I think the dress really became popular because lace has a very timeless quality about it. It is so intricately detailed and creates such a beautiful silhouette. I also want women who wear my designs to feel confident in their own skin and I think the lace dress does just that and really accentuates the best features of any body type.

What do you have for us in your SS15 collection?
SS15 is my twelfth collection which is something that makes me extremely proud. Route XII is inspired by a graffiti lace vermilion color. The collection pays tribute to the sensual but confident 60s' Bond girl with a touch of the cult classic 'Pulp Fiction'.

What are you working on at the moment?
We are incredibly excited about the online app we have developed. The concept behind the design was to give our clients full control of their design. The app will not only allow clients to custom make their own lace dress but will also connect them with the designer herself making the experience truly personal and that much more exclusive. By doing so each piece will be so much more unique and valuable and will have a piece of them in it as they were involved in the design process.

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