Rami Kadi

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Early Life

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Rami Kadi, American Lebanese designer, was born in New Jersey and raised in Okaibeh Lebanon in the heart of his small family. He discovered his love for arts at the age of 2 years, where he was passionate about colors, paintings and outfits. His first fashion encounter was at the age of 3 years; when, during a trip to Cyprus, he pushed his ever-classical mother into buying a pair of purple shoes with a big bow.

Career

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The plan wasn’t fully into fashion, as Rami Kadi graduated from Lycée Franco -Libanais Nahr Ibrahim[1], with a focus on Economics and Math in specific. His good academic career earned him an immediate acceptance to pursue a specialization in Math at the University of Henri Poincaré University[2], France. However, seeing an undeniable talent and unique potential, his parents supported him in switching from math to focusing on fashion.

Ramifollowed his passion, and went on to ESMOD Beirut[3] in 2005, where he majored as fashion designer and double majored in pattern making. Throughout his three years in ESMOD, Kadi won 3 Jury awards in a row:

1st year:  Prix Modelisme

2nd year: Prix Stylisme

3rd year: Prix Modelisme – granted to him by the Jury President, at the time, Mr. Elie Saab.[4]

As of 2015, Rami Kadi is the artistic director in ESMOD Beirut, where he supervises 3rd year students, guides them and monitors their evolution.

Simultaneously with his education, he had the opportunity to intern several times with Lebanese designer Rabih Kayrouz.[5]

After graduating in 2008, Kadi joined STARCH[6]: “Founded by Rabih Kayrouz, Tala Hajjar and in collaboration with Solidere, STARCH is a non-profit organization that helps launch Lebanese emerging designers. STARCH is an annual program and a rotation of debut collections where four to six young designers are selected each year[7].”

In May 2011, Rami Kadi at the age of 25 founded his eponymous brand with an atelier in the heart of Beirut, Clémenceau, a small space that was soon to become a hub for crafting unique one-off pieces that drew glamour-loving clientele, pop stars and royalty.

In 2017, Kadi opened his second Atelier, in Beirut, giving him broader operations for a global clientele.

Exposure

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In 2012, Rami Kadi encountered an important career turning point, granting him wider exposure. Kadi collaborated with Lebanese star Myriam Fares[8], for her acclaimed performance in Murex D’Or Awards ceremony which subsequently led to several years of collaborations.

In 2014, Rami Kadi achieved another career milestone by showcasing his FW 15 collection in Paris, the Capital of Couture during the couture Fashion Week. Kadi has since been showcasing his designs biannually in Paris, in accordance to the official PFW Couture Calendar.

Couture presentations in Paris by seasons:

  • FW 15 "Un souffle d'Orient" - Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  • SS 15 "Illusions Exquises" -Plaza Athénée Hotel
  • FW 16 "Lucioles"- Plaza Athénée Hotel
  • SS 16 "Parades nuptiales" -Plaza Athénée Hotel
  • FW 17 "L'ombre des femmes" -Plaza Athénée Hotel
  • SS 17 "Tourbillon Céleste" -Plaza Athénée Hotel
  • FW 18 "Sweet chaos" –Le Meurice Hotel
  • SS 18 "Bal de rue"- Le Meurice Hotel
  • FW 19 "Ometeo"  -Four Seasons Hotel George V

In January 2019, Rami Kadi staged his first full fashion show in Paris, showcasing SS19  “Éternité Éphemère at the Four Seasons Hotel George V,Paris.

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Notable clients and projects

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Rami Kadi’s main clients include the Gulf’s Royal Families. Kadi has also gained a wide exposure, and global recognition, as his gowns were worn on several International celebrities.

Rami Kadi’s name has been linked with several celebrities on the red carpets of several prestigious events such as the Academy Awards known as the Oscars, The Cannes Film Festival and The BRIT Awards.

  • Beyoncé, during  On The Run II tour 2018.[9]
  • Aishwarya Rai, in the Cannes Film Festival [10]2016 and 2018.
  • Katy Perry, during her appearances in American Idol 2018 and 2019.
  • Kendall Jenner, in Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2019[11].
  • Jennifer Lopez, on the Cover of People’s Magazine[12] 2019
  • Tiffany Haddish, in Elton John’s Oscar After Party 2019.
  • Nicole Scherzinger, in amfAR Gala Hongkong[13]. 2019
  • Sonam Kampoor for her guest appearance in “ Kofee[14] with Karan” 2018

Kadi has also dressed several others including divas such as Burlesque artist Dita Von Teese, singers such as Janet Jackson, Maren Morrs[15], Actresses like Rachel Macadams, Suki Waterhouse, Olivia Munn, supermodels like Sara Sampaio, Isabeli Fontana, AngelaBaby, Allana Arrington and Maria Borjes. Middle Eastern stars such as Myriam Fares, Najwa Karam, Angham, Ahlam , Maya Diab, Haifa Wehbe, Nancy Ajram, Shirine Abdel Wahab and Balqees Fathi[16];and Bollywood celebrities like Esha Gupta, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor[17], Amy Jackson, Malaika Arora and Divya Khosla Kumar as well as fashion influencers and socialites like Candela Novembre, Camila Coelho, Negin Mirsalehi and Karen Wazen,[18] Fouz Al Fahed, Lana El Sahely[19], Nour Arida[20], Nathalie Fanj, Jessica Kahawaty and the virtual influencer Noonouri[21].

Style

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The Rami Kadi label has become synonymous with nouvelle couture, and with a quest for exploring contemporary techniques within the realms of classical couture craftsmanship.

These are standout creations, most often with kaleidoscopic colour explosions that the spectacled designer attributes to his nearsightedness.

As he himself would describe it, “Sometimes, I remove my glasses and try to figure out what a fabric or detail is, and imagine it differently.” To him, a pixelated vision and an intriguing shimmer are the triggers for his love for dazzle.

“Rami Kadi is a contemporary Couturier passionate about modern tailoring. With his distinctive and spicy creations, he builds bridges across cultures where East and West meet. Through his collections, he pays tribute to “hand-made”[22] work, the art he is particularly fond of.”

Awards:  the “Middle East Social Media Award 2019” under the category of “Best In Fashion”

  1. ^ "LFLNI | accueil". www.lflni-liban.net. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  2. ^ "Université de Lorraine". www.univ-lorraine.fr. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  3. ^ "ESMOD BEIRUT | www.esmod.com". www.esmod.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  4. ^ Saab, Elie. "ELIE SAAB". Elie Saab. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  5. ^ "Maison Rabih Kayrouz". Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  6. ^ "Starch". www.starchfoundation.org. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  7. ^ "Starch". www.starchfoundation.org. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  8. ^ "Myriam Fares In Rami Kadi | Spotted Wearing Rami Kadi | Dresses, Strapless prom dresses, Prom dresses". Pinterest. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  9. ^ "Rami Kadi on Instagram: "Yes It's Queen B ! @beyonce Beyoncé, One Of The Most Recognizable Figures In Contemporary Music, The Great POP R&B Artist During Her OTR2…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  10. ^ "Aishwarya Rai Bachchan In Rami Kadi Couture At The Cannes Film Festival". Livingly. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  11. ^ "Kendall Jenner wore what might be the most daring dress we've ever seen to the Vanity Fair Oscar party". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  12. ^ Khalife, Leyal (2018-12-19). "Jennifer Lopez shines in Lebanese design during photoshoot". StepFeed. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  13. ^ Kallon, Catherine (2018-12-15). "Sonam Kapoor In Rami Kadi - 'Koffee with Karan' -". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  14. ^ Kallon, Catherine (2018-12-15). "Sonam Kapoor In Rami Kadi - 'Koffee with Karan' -". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  15. ^ Ramsinghani, Nikita (2019-03-18). "Wow! Maren Morris's Red Carpet Minidress Is Even More Reflective Next to Taylor Swift". POPSUGAR Fashion. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  16. ^ "Balqees Fathi Dazzles in This Lebanese Designer". Vogue Arabia. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  17. ^ "Hello! India Featuring Priyanka Chopra In Rami Kadi Couture FW18 Gown | Rami Kadi In the Press in 2019 | Priyanka chopra, Priyanka chopra wedding, Priyanka chopra hot". Pinterest. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  18. ^ Kadi, Rami. "Rami Kadi - Media - In spotlight - karen-wazen-bakhazi". Rami Kadi. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  19. ^ "Journey into la Ville Lumière: Lana wearing Rami Kadi". Journey into la Ville Lumière. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  20. ^ Arida, Ayssar (2012-10-12). "Quantum City". doi:10.4324/9780080515557. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. ^ "@noonoouri on Instagram: "PREMIER view @ramikadi couture collection revealed tomorrow . . . . "Ometeo" F/W 18-19 boots 👉🏾 @poisedesign #hautecouture #paris…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  22. ^ Kadi, Rami. "Rami Kadi - The Designer". Rami Kadi. Retrieved 2019-05-13.