If you have been following us on social media for the past few weeks, you may have noticed our recent fixation on fashion. This is because in just over one week the Arab British Centre and Starch Foundation will debut at London Fashion Week with an exhibition of phenomenal designers from Lebanon!
From 19 – 23 February 2016 the West Wing at Somerset House will be transformed into an imaginary terrain where a new generation of international designers and curators will share their responses to the theme of Utopia. First coined by Thomas More in his 16th Century book with the same name, Utopia has since shaped the understanding that we can imagine different ways of being and learn from different places, peoples and cultures.
For the Arab British Centre, fashion from the Middle East presents a means of communication with audiences in the UK. Fashion lies at the crossroads where art, history, and culture mix with craft, technology, and business. As dreamers and innovators, fashion designers can imagine another world AND create the space and possibility for us to realise it together.
The designers in Blueprint Beirut join the ranks of artists, designers and creatives who are the pioneers and ambassadors of contemporary culture in Lebanon. In ‘Blueprint Beirut’ they present a Utopia for Lebanon which is forward thinking, yet rooted in Mediterranean heritage. Curated by Tala Hajjar and designed by Elie Metni, ‘Blueprint Beirut’ deconstructs the architectural arcades (qanater) of the traditional Lebanese home; a space where past rituals shape daily life and where the eight designers have found mutual inspiration; to their blueprints.
We spoke with Tala Hajjar (co-founder of Starch) about the significance of design and fashion from Lebanon and the upcoming exhibition at Somerset House.
Could you give us a bit of background about the Fashion/Design scene in Lebanon and how this has changed over the years?
“The design scene in Lebanon has taken a huge leap forward, especially in the last 15 years. Lebanon is slowly detaching from its stereotypical label of Couture and Red Carpet gowns to a much wider array of Ready-to-Wear design. The country has lagged behind established design cities following local crises and socio-economic circumstances. It is surfacing now despite all the hardships and we are very proud to see Lebanese names shine internationally and carve the way for our next generation of designers”.
Could you tell us a bit how and why Starch came about?
“Starch Foundation is a project that took shape over the years organically. It came as an answer to young designers reaching out for mentorship, guidance and help while launching their brands. It also has a mission to identify the ‘diamonds in the rough’ and provide them with as much help as possible to make their way into the industry. The latter being a shared aim with the Arab British Centre, which is why it felt so perfect and natural to collaborate together for IFS2016”.
What does it mean for you as the Co-Founder of Starch to be curating ‘Blueprint Beirut’. And what does it mean for Lebanese Design and Fashion to be represented at IFS?
“Words cannot express our excitement to be part of IFS 2016! It is a big opportunity for Starch to showcase alongside other countries, and to gain exposure in the UK generally. We have always been in absolute awe of the design scene in the UK and every aspect that satellites around it”.
From the teams at Arab British Centre and Starch Foundation, we look forward to seeing you there!
‘Blueprint Beirut’
Dates: 19 – 23 February 2016
Opening Hours: 10.00 – 18.00 Daily
Address: West Wing Galleries, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Admission: free; pre-registration advised via Biletto https://billetto.co.uk/fashion-utopias-international-fashion-showcase-2016