Getting to Know Reem Acra

“Thank you God you have given me more than I deserve. You have given me more than beauty. You have given me the power to make beauty.” Reem Acra, 1979.
 

How did your fashion design journey begin?
It began when I was young and studying at AUB, I had my first fashion show there. From there on I went to school in Paris and New York and began this amazing journey as an international women’s designer.

What advice would you give to young up and coming designers?
Don’t be fooled – it’s a lot of hard work.

What’s your definition of Fashion?
Fashion is personality and taste.

If you had to take another career path, what would it be?
Anything that has to do with design.

Describe your style in three words.
Glamorous, Fit & Special

The biggest fashion sin?
When women buy clothing that doesn’t look good on them.

A trend that never goes out of style would be…
The “little black dress” – something classical like that.

Is there something missing in the Middle Eastern fashion scene?
Yes, understanding simple and glamorous style

What's your favorite movie and food?
Favorite movies are Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and Avatar, I love the magic of the imagery in these movies a nd how the director intersperses the films with footage that take place in another time and place. I’m vegetarian and I love Lebanese food. I make my own tabouleh for my family and friends. I can eat it every day!

Walk us through a day in your life, what is it like?
It’s very long. It starts at 7:00am and often doesn’t end until 12:00 at night. There are lots of things to do as a designer from selecting fabrics, meeting with my staff, fittings with models, and making plans for future collections.

How do you prepare for your New York Fashion week show?
It’s a long process that takes up to three months in preparation. It starts many months in advance when I begin designing, choosing runway models, scheduling the fittings,  deciding on the venue for the show and working with my team to make sure it is absolutely perfect.

What's next?
Let’s wait and see, but we’ll have exciting news to share in the coming year.