Emerging Fervour

I met Tres Colacion from We Run Beirut in a pub in Hamra about a month ago, and needed to know more about what Tres and co-founder Tim Winters had planned for WRB, a space documenting events, music, parties, club nights and the local scene in Lebanon. So I met up with Tres in Hamra for a little chat…

So, who are the  guys behind We Run Beirut?

Tres (left): I’m 23 and I grew up in Los Angeles, California. I love music and film. Living in LA I was lucky enough to see some awesome bands (currently kind of dyeing inside that I’m missing Coachella this year) and spent my younger years (much of it illegally) in every club in LA worth getting thrown out of. I love traveling and have spent time across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Central America. I’m a die-hard Arsenal fan…we are definitely winning the EPL this year. You read it here first.

Tim: I’m 22 and I grew up in Poughkeepsie New York. Ever since I was old enough to get in the New York City nightclubs I would take the train there to explore the party scene. That opened my eyes to a plethora of different clubbing experiences, most notably the underground house music scene. During college I DJ’d my life away and took two years of Arabic language class.

I hate to say it, but Tres you guys might have a chance..boooo! So what made you move to Lebanon?

Tres: I first came to Lebanon to fulfill my universities study abroad requirement. I majored in International Relations with an Emphasis in the Middle East, so Beirut was the obvious choice for a number of reasons. I fell in love with the city and knew from day one that this is where I wanted to be. I have met some of my closest friends here and had the opportunity to do things I could never do in the States or Europe. We Run Beirut is the product of all of these feelings. There is nowhere in the world we would rather be right now. Beirut is alive in a way that other city’s just are not.

So what is We Run Beirut all about?

Tres: It’s about the people that make this city what it is. I wish I had a more elaborate answer for you guys, but honestly that is the best way I could ever put it. I have a lengthy opinion on basically everything in life so that should mean a lot.

And where do you see WRB going in 2 years?

Tres: You know stuff has blown up so fast that I really have no idea. We want to really continue bringing new concepts and ideas to the scene. We are working on launching a blog showcasing all the amazing people in our city and really showing the world what Beirut is all about. Touring the region and taking the Beirut party scene international would be amazing. Did someone say Reality TV? I’m just joking…maybe.

Ha! Do it, it’s a good idea! What was your most memorable night here?

Tres: That is such a hard question because there are so many. One of our first parties that we threw was in a huge 300 year old mansion in the mountains overlooking Beirut. We organized the entire thing in like a week and released the parties location via a series of clues as on our facebook page and website.

The party was free and BYOB under the condition you could find the place. Not only did we get a turn out bigger than we could ever imagine, we also got volunteer bar tenders, people cleaning the place up and awesome guest DJ sets from some of the best DJ’s from across the country. The amount of support we got from the scene and from our friends just made it one of the most amazing nights in my life.

Ok, it’s still kicking off here in Beirut…more protests have erupted after a Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati was appointed Lebanese PM (removing the usualpower-sharing system, where the post of prime minister is reserved for a Sunni, while the president must be a Maronite Christian and the speaker of parliament a Shia). I won’t go into details because I will go on 10,000 words so if you’re interested – check out the full story on BBC online.

So, this basically means that I haven’t been to my classes since yesterday and I’m hoping this get’s resolved ASAP please because I’ve got some pretty interesting things going on at the moment. Take for example, making a SHIRT! Yessss, look at me and my talk of making shirts!! Before the Christmas hols I had just finished creating my skirt – check my post. On Friday I handed in a file for 3 shirts (1 normal fitted, 1 fitted with enlargements and another shirt according to a picture) and this week we’re learning how to create a three-piece shirt with buttoning tab above the ‘teet’ as our teacher would say. All very exciting stuff.

For our design course, we have a project due in on the 2nd of February where we have to create a small collection for AW2011 with 6 shirts, 4 trousers and 4 skirts… and of these 14 pieces we had to draw 2 figurines each with a shirt and trousers and shirt and skirt. The theme is transportation and I chose the old steam trains because it seems that I am really into sharp lines and shapes so this was perfect….

Lebanon is known for a lot of things, one being the amazing designers coming out of here. Being at ESMOD, I get to see a lot of emerging talent from third year students, and I feel really lucky to be here, living the dream!

One designer that really stands out for me from Lebanon, who didn’t actually attend fashion school, but learnt everything he knows from a family tailoring business is Abed Mahfouz. Born and raised in Lebanon, Mahfouz creates Haute Couture, Ready to Wear and Bridal – he actually created my sister-in-law’s wedding dress back in 2000 when he was just starting out – unfortunately I don’t have any pictures of the day, only a video right now – but I will dig something out and post it soon.

Today, his pieces are pricey investments, check out some of my favourites from is AW10-11 collection:

Ready to Wear

Haute Couture

Bridal

www.abedmahfouz.com

I came across Joe Challita not too long ago and couldn’t help but do a write up on him and his creations. They’re just so beautiful!

A law graduate, Challita’s true passion is fashion and so in 2004 he gave it all up to pursue a career in fashion design. In 2007 he graduated from East Sydney College with a fashion degree and has been based in Beirut ever since (he was raised in Australia).

Through his Lebanese heritage and culture, Challita worked with beautiful fabrics to create his Vintage Nouveau style. And taking a chance to follow his Haute Couture dream, Challita appeared on Mission Fashion – a reality TV show based in Beirut with a mission to select a top model and top fashion designer. One thing led to another, and Challita received an invitation to train at the Elie Saab Fashion House in 2007. Challita has been in Beirut since, pursuing his dreams to dress the women of the world!

Check out these Challita Couture pieces

Another amazing find from Lebanon. Lara Khoury is my favourite designer at the moment. A country where clothes-making and embroidery are pretty old traditions. In the old neighborhoods of Beirut you can still find small ready-to-wear clothing stores with handmade pieces created by local designers – and tailors on almost every street with workshops as small as your average wardrobe.

If you’re after some serious couture or some super cool cutting edge designers, then Beirut is the place you should visit. But don’t just take it from me, check out this wonderful interview from my favourite designer of the moment – Lara Khoury.

Lara, in your own words…who are you?

Who am I. Well I am a 25 year old Lebanese fashion designer, based in Beirut. I’ve been a part of the fashion industry for the past 3 years, but only opened my own workshop in Gemayzeh in March 2010. My style tends to be very experimental and borderline minimalist. I, on the other hand, tend to be very independent and relatively stubborn (that’s what I’ve been told), but when it comes to my work, I am extremely passionate and always look to immerse myself in the detail.

Did you always want to be a fashion designer growing up?

Taking pictures used to be one of my greatest hobbies when I was a little girl! the gift of being able to capture every days memories and emotions in one piece of paper, used to fascinate me. But when fashion came into the picture, I knew it would be the thing I’d do for the rest of my life.

I see you’re friends with Krikor – how did you guys meet?

Krikor and I were part of the first Starch generation. The boutique’s sole concept, initiated by Rabih Kayrouz, is to create a space where Young Lebanese designers are given a chance (and a space) to shine, experiment, and essentially kick-start their careers. Krikor and I had the privilege of growing in that environment, and share that amazing and eye-opening experience.

Starch

Tell us about your latest collection..

I came across the fabulous Krikor Jabotian through Tanya Traboulsi, who listed Krikor as one of her favourite fashion designers during an interview I had with her. Coming from Lebanon, I’ll jump at the chance to write about anything coming out of the Middle East and Krikor is just one of them.

Krikor Jabotian is a 24 year old Lebanese designer who studied fashion design at the French Fashion Institution ESMOD in Beirut. After graduating, he made it into Elie Saab’s creative team, giving him the experience he needed to make it into the fast-paced world of fashion. And his story begins…

Krikor – fabulous name by the way – tell us a little about who you are for our readers

I am a 24 yr old Lebanese young designer from Armenian origin. That’s where I get my fabulous name from. I am a dreamer, with a lot of dreams to share …

These are pieces from my latest Au Gre d’une Brise collection >

We know fashion has its ups and downs…what was your most life changing moment?

Well, I have been blessed that I have gotten the chance to be able to show my work and who I am at a young age. I think having my own atelier and showroom at the age of 23 was my most life changing moment.

Will you be selling any of your creations over here in the UK?

At this moment we are still very new since we haven’t been open for a year yet, but the UK is surely a place I see myself in the next couple of years to come.

Who is your favourite designer and why?

Where shall I start ? Madame Grais , Madelaine Vionnet to Jeanne Lanvin (I love the way her new identity is being elaborated in a very modern way with Albert EL Baz)

In my opinion the older designers made their collections with a lot of passion, with a lot of authenticity along with love for what they do. It’s very hard to see the same these days since everything is so commercial and its more about how much they sell than the actual art. Nevertheless there are a lot of contemporary designers that I admire, Alexander McQueen for example for his amazing conceptual art pieces.

I came across Tanya Traboulsi when interviewing musician, Zeid Hamdan (check out the interview here). An amazing photographer, Tanya captures the atmosphere of all her subjects and I just couldn’t resist asking her some big questions…

Tanya, we saw your work when we interviewed Zeid Hamdan and fell in love with it, please tell us a little about you?

I grew up in Beirut and at some point moved to Austria, then came back to Lebanon. Photography was always part of my life, even as a child. I didn’t study it though, I studied fashion design and then later on started working in photography.

Your images really capture atmosphere’s and emotions, what’s your secret?

I think that the most important thing in life is to have a passion for something. Anything you do that you truly love, will succeed. And this passion and love will show in your work, whatever work it is. Also, I think that it’s really important to know (or at least try to know) what you want in / from life, and more importantly what you don’t want. Once you have figured that out, things become much easier.

What was your favourite shoot?

I can’t really think of only one favourite shoot… When I shoot concerts and musicians, I feel really inspired and at ease, because I love and have always loved music, and the musicians that I photograph are wonderful artists that truly inspire me.

Carte Blanche to The Ex ∨

Haussmann Tree ∨

Ben Frost ∨

A-Trio ∨

Charbel Haber | Tony Elieh | Tarek Atoui ∨

All my series are quite personal and have a special meaning to me, like for example my latest series that I shot in Beirut, called “Collection 1983″.

∧ “Collection 1983 was shot in an abandoned wood factory during the Lebanese civil war that was later occupied by militias. The raw concrete walls became a canvas for their hopes and dreams as fighting raged around. Locked away and neglected, these palimpsest images offer a snapshot into the minds of forgotten soldiers” ∨

If you could have chosen to photograph any event of the past 100 years, what event would that be?

An interview with Zeid from Soapkills, one of a duo we covered a little while ago. Zeid gives us an idea about the underground music scene in Lebanon, how the war affected him and what his perfect day out would be…intrigued?

Zeid, tell us about yourself

I was born in Ashrafieh (Lebanon) in a Hospital that’s now a music shop called Mozart Chahine.

I don’t know why music and film, no one in the family is into that scene. I guess for me, it’s because of the fantasy aspect of it, all my childhood has been about extraordinary adventures, maybe I didn’t want to get out of it.

I spent my childhood moving between Cyprus, Lebanon and Europe because of the war and a lot of my musical influence has come from France where I was exposed to a lot of western pop music.

What projects are you working on now?

I’m working on the new album of The New Government the recordings should be in Montreal in August, the release maybe beginning of 2011.

The New Government | Lebanon 2009 ∨

I’m the musical director for Danielle Arbid’s next movie where I’ll developing my own music, a mixture of arabic english and pop!

Tell us about The New Government…why was it formed and what does it stand for?

The band was born in Lebanon in November 2004 at a time of political instability. What initially came up as a 6-member band known as “The Government”, we eventually reached a configuration of 5 members (Jeremie, Nabil, Cherif, Timothee and myself) we proclaimed ourselves as “The New Government” (Since there was no official government in Lebanon at the time, so it made sense).

The New Government | Paris 2009 ∨

What happened to Soapkills? And how did you and Yasmine come to work with each other?

Soapkills is on pause for the moment, Yasmine and I are both exploring our potential as individuals, but we’re still in contact and good friends.

I met Yasmine in 1994 when she was at College Protestant in Lebanon, I fell in love with her and did everything to get her working on a project with me, our mutual passion for music helped. The combination of our personalities gave birth to Soapkills.

What is the underground music scene in Lebanon like for you?

Very vibrant – with new bands like Pop will save us, The Incompetents, Fariq el Atrash, Mashrou’ Leila, The 961 Underground, Katibe 5. These are the new comers on the underground scene and they are pretty active. Check this blog http://www.feelnotes.wordpress.com, my friend Omar el Fil reviews every good thing happening in town.

Mashrou’ Leila | Beirut 2009 ∨

Katibe 5 | Beirut 2008 ∨

Following on from our Shankaboot post, I’m on a roll. I came across Soapkills a couple of years ago, a Lebanese underground group from Beirut. Soapkills was formed by Zeid Hamdan and Yasmine Hamdan back in 1998 and although they’re working on separate projects now, both Yasmine and Zeid are very much still in the music scene (more on them in later posts).

Soapkills draws inspiration from classical arabic songs…Yasmine’s soft, sensual voice, mixed with Zeid minimalist electro make this an explosive mixture of wow music. Soapkills has released several albums, and has performed in Europe, Middle East, Autralia, Canada.

Herzan from the album ‘Enta Fen’ is one of my favourite tracks from Soap Kills∨

Yasmine Hamdan

Born in Beirut. She spent her childhood abroad escaping the wars in the Middle-East. She returned back to Beirut at the end of Lebanese civil war. A psychology graduate, Yasmine took courses in Arabic classical singing and Oud lessons (Arabic guitar) at the Lebanese Conservatory. During her time there, she also learnt to play guitar, and Arabic dance.

Zeid Hamdan

Born in Beirut. He spent his adolescence in Paris. He began his artistic trip with acting in film and theater. After returning to Beirut, Zeid continued with his acting and at the same time he played guitar and founded several bands.

Coming from Lebanon, I’m generally pretty patriotic when it comes to the motherland. So it makes me all fuzzy inside when I see things like Shankaboot, emerging from Lebanon’s film scene. Created by Batoota Films in Association the BBC World Service Trust with the support of Zico House and The Welded Tandem Picture Company, it’s a first for Arabic webdrama.

Shankaboot takes us into the beating heart of Beirut street life today, through the eyes of Suleiman, the 15-year old delivery boy. Along for the ride are the beautiful Ruwaida and the mysterious Chadi, along with a host of other characters.

Episode 1

Episode 2

To see episode 3, 4, 5 and 6, check the Shankaboot site. The final 7th episode will be available to view on the 31st March at www.shankaboot.com