The international news agency Agence France-Presse just published a feature interview with the Middle Eastern fashion star Reem Acra. Based in New York, the Lebanese-born designer’s client list includes many of Hollywood’s leading ladies, from Catherine Zeta-Jones and Halle Berry to Kate Hudson and Eva Longoria.
With Stateside success firmly under her belt, Acra is turning her attention back to the Middle East where she wants to kickstart a home-grown fashion industry. Here are some of AFPs choice quotes:
Regional fashion: "There is no fashion industry (in the Middle East) today. But is there an eagerness for it? Absolutely. I am getting involved. I will help it to develop. I think there will be opportunities to help designers develop and grow the industry. I would say they are at the very beginning in the Middle East and fashion does not get established in two days, fashion takes time."
The creative process: "When I am designing I have to think about the woman in Saint Tropez; I have to think of the Chinese woman and I have to think of the Middle East all in one dress. My woman is not of a particular age. I erase her age in my mind."
