© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

Want to know who absolutely everyone in London is going totally crazy for?
Two words: Ziad Ghanem.

After being hit by the news of McQueen, I had resigned myself to the thought that fashion
had become a sombre place and that it would never be the same again.

Just when I thought that it was all lost, that all the magic and drama was gone, that nothing
or no-one after Lee would ever be capable of making my heart skip a beat… he appeared.

Suddenly, without previous warning, a parade of the most fantastic fashion creatures was unfolding
right in front of my eyes, pouring more fabulousness and drama than what I was actually prepared to
see again. Refraining from blinking so as to not miss a second of his incredibly sublime spectacle, I felt compelled to stand up and start clapping vigorously at the end of the show.

I held my breath as each piece that appeared on the catwalk looked like it was going to be the grand finale, but it was merely the beginning. Here is Part two and Part three (where the official grand finale takes place), standing ovation from the audience included and trust me, that crowd is one very tough crowd to please.

Ever since Ziad Ghanem and the Maiden Britain collective presented their fabulous A/W collection during London Fashion Week last February, press requests at VOGUE are said to be pouring in, in particular for the amazing leopard print ‘Vogue’ outfit that stylists and editors went crazy for.

The piece was exclusively shot for the October issue of British Vogue. ‘A British Style Celebration’ photographed by no other than Mario Testino and the model? This lovely lady called Naomi Campbell.

Need I say more?

World… I have a new favourite fashion designer: Le cult couturier Ziad Ghanem.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-Ziad, where have you been all my life? Kidding. I have just recently discovered your work and I am so excited that I get carried away…
-I am like a cult movie I like the enigma of it. Also I am a one to one person and a fashion whore sometimes too.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-Where are you from originally and how long have you been living in London for?
I am Lebanese and I moved to london in the late 90’s.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-How and when did you start designing?
When I was 5 years old I started making drawings of my mum in different dresses. All my life I designed and made clothes without having a title of a designer. I started my label few years ago and I am still experimenting.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-I see a lot of theatricality, art and drama in your shows, where does your inspiration come from in that sense?
I am inspired from my surroundings. From Life and people. From films Music and reality and the simple matters. I believe we do not need to explore another planet … What men needs to be inspired is a mirror.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-What was your first collection about? What was the inspiration behind it?
My first collection was called ‘Support your local Hooker’ the inspiration was the lack of money and plenty of ambition and determination. My flat mates in Soho at the time helped me make the clothes on their ‘NIGHT’ off.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-And in your latest collection? – which I am so blown away with by the way, so much drama! – what’s the inspiration?
Thank you. The Inspiration is the optimism and the fading world of glamour that emerged from the couture salons of the 1950s and the drama of taking off the jacket in a show. I feel nostalgic about fashion shows where models worked the clothes, pulled collars up and did the Parisian swirls on catwalks.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

With the internet anyone can see the new collections online, and all is so dull. You see one you’ve seen all of them… Where is the show factor? Hello!!!! that is why my shows have theatre and drama I wanna give time value to my audience . Also the collection is about the art of Undressing. I find Burlesque have a certain magic in undressing, that is why I wanted Miss Immodesty Blaize to model in my show.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-I love the idea of dressing those fabulous seemingly transgender models (please correct if that is the wrong term) whom you worked with in your latest show. Your incredible gowns look all the more mind blowing on their bodies. Do you always work with these type of models? where did this fabulous idea came from?
Thank you so much. My clothes are gender free, I refuse to be called a man because I have a penis and a woman needs more than a pair of tits and a vagina to become a woman.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

My models are my inspiration and they are in my show because they love dressing up and love my work. I refuse to force my clothes on any odd model from an agency. My clothes are made on my model sizes, an exaggeration of their character and looks. Without the people in my show there would be no clothes, I am grateful for their inspiration.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-How would you define your style?
Sophisticated underground full of Realistic Drama.

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-In your eyes who are the ultimate style icons?
On a rainy day: the lady who is sat next to me on the bus with an immaculate hair.
I find her majesty Queen Elizabeth II fascinating.

© Image courtesy of Annie Leibovitz

-Do you have any muses in mind when you construct those amazing dresses? Who do you see wearing your designs?
My designs are made for people not my ego. My muse changes all the time, my models are my muse. My Mum is my ultimate inspiration.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-If you could dress anyone, (even people from history, from the past or from other eras) who would you like to dress and what would you make for them?
Dead or Alive it does not matter, as long as they pay cash. I love to dress all people but I can only dress few because my team is small and my prices are very high. So anyone is welcome but the waiting list is ’til August 2010.

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-Which designers do you admire the work of and does any of them influence you?
Alexander Mcqueen, his work will be missed.

-Would you like to design for a major fashion house or would you rather continue working on your own label, under your own name?
I am open and receptive or all the good things that comes my way.

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-How much does your very own Lebanese culture and background inspire you and how does that reflect in your work?
Lebanese culture is very rich, I am a citizen of the world and I am inspired by all cultures. I am a typical Lebanese when it comes to being a snob and the love for Gibran Khalil Gibran. I am proud to be born Lebanese but I am grateful to have the luxury of freedom, to be able to live where I wanna be – London.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-If you could invite 3 people from any era to come and have dinner with you, who would they be and where would you take them?
Eating is very intimate I am very selective with who I dine with. I would like to invite three people who are hungry and can not afford food and I will make them a home made chicken and vegetable soup.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

- If you were a work of art which one would you be and why?
Jeff koons’s‘Dirty Jeff on top’ from ‘Made in Heaven’. there are no hidden meanings and it is straight to the point.

-For you, what’s the hardest thing about being a designer?
The self destructive ego of some of the people that make my clothes.
Lack of communication and some nasty fashion trends.

-Favourite film?
A Short Film About Love (Polish: Krótki film o miłości)

-Favourite music?
Scarlett Etienne who compelled the music for my show… And forever I love ‘I just can’t get enough’ by Depeche Mode. To be played at my funeral please.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-Favourite book?
Tintin et Milou.

-Favourite London hangout?
Outside the Job center in Hackney, there is some real hotties.

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

-Thank you so much Ziad and finally please choose the song of the day.
Thank you Nona for your support, I am grateful. The song of the day is ‘I FEEL GOOD’ Live version by James Brown in a blue silver and brocade suit.

To know more about the fabulous Ziad Ghanem and see his amazing previous
collection visit his website: www.ziadghanem.co.uk

You can also see some fab behind the scenes pics at Dazed Digital,

and stills of his previous S/S 2010 show at VOGUE.com and stills from the A/W 2010 show on his Facebook fan page: ZIAD GHANEM

© Image courtesy of Paula Harrowing

All Ziad Ghanem’s images courtesy of the fabulous Paula Harrowing: www.paulaharrowing.com

XO
—Nonita