EASTWAVE Concept
is a virtual pop-up that aims to support established and emerging designers from the Middle East and North African region, in showcasing and selling a curated selection of their designs to international audiences and customers. Every season the pop-up will be hosted by different platforms or stores that share the EASTWAVE mission and values. Season I, officially launched August 1st, 2020, was hosted on Dubai-based e-commerce platform Maison Orient.
EASTWAVE is the brainchild of Dana Mortada of Fashion Collective in Los Angeles, Judy Daghestani of LFHM in Dubai, and Christian Daccache of Bureau Des Créateurs in Beirut.
While the partners have distinct backgrounds and expertise within the US/MENA fashion industries, they share one mission: to support MENA designers in sharing their story with international audiences who care about bespoke and artisanal craftsmanship from the East.
Our Season I host, Maison Orient, is founded by Ayse Arel, whose desire is to promote Oriental creators and bridge the gap between the East and West.
EASTWAVE is not your standard e-commerce platform. Season I was born during unprecedented times, to support and cultivate a family of unique yet likeminded talents who share pride and passion for their Eastern designs. Through their global industry networks, the Partners expose the designers across MENA and in the West, via EASTWAVE’s partner TATA PR, an LA-based fashion PR agency and high-end retailer.
The pop-up showcases 16 established niche RTW and Jewelry designers and will serve global customers via free international shipping.
ALIEL – Handbag
(EGYPT)
Founded in 2017 by Egyptian designer Leila Abo Tira, ALIEL — Leila spelled backward — goes by the slogan creative possessions expressed in art. Every design has its own story and inspiration. While attention to detail and fine finish are a constant of the ALIEL brand, there is no standard signature in the designs, each collection is different and unique. Each piece talks a different language that represents Leila and every woman.
AMMANII JEWELRY
(USA)
Raised with a passion and eye for jewelry design, CEO and chief designer Amany Shaker, who is of Egyptian heritage, has always been fascinated by the ancient Egyptian civilization. “Each design is an ambassador of peace to tell an empowering story of connection and hope.”- Amany Shaker
AURA HEADPIECES – Accessory
(LEBANON)
Founded by Carolina Chammas in 2012, AURA Headpieces revolves around a fusion of cultures (introducing Middle Eastern princesses – Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Arabian feminine historical figures – to the West by adding an urban, fashion-forward and contemporary twist). “If you look at important women in history, most of them wore jewelry on their head.”- Carolina Chammas
BIL ARABI – Fine Jewelry
(UAE)
As a noted photographer and award-winning haute jewellery designer, Beirut-born and Dubai-dwelling Nadine Kanso is modern Arabia’s creative ambassador to the world. Be it her calligraphy inspired precious adornments or gritty artworks depicting contemporary Middle Eastern life, her message remains constant.
BLSSD – Ready to Wear
(UAE)
BLSSD is a fashion-centered design practice based in Dubai and Beirut. A daring, innovative spirit and fresh, experimental style lies at the heart of our creative approach. As a trans-seasonal, fashion-purpose label that supports individuals touched by cancer, we embrace streetwear’s provocative take on originality, combine it with a sense of luxury, the practicality of utility and top it off with a touch of gratitude and a desire to make fashion matter.
JESSICA K – Ready to Wear
(LEBANON)
A fresh and modern womenswear label, founded by Lebanese designer Jessica Khoueiri Achkar, Jessica K was created in 2010 with women of today in mind, wherever they may be. The label boasts a collection of confident feminine and refined silhouettes that scream urban elegance, with a touch of Rock n’ Roll.
JEUX DE MAINS – Ready to Wear
(LEBANON)
Salim Cherfane sees the world in pulsating colors and is very playful and vibrant, just like his sense of fashion. He collages bold colors, loud patterns and clean cuts, creating versatile ready-to-wear compositions that are graphic and fun. Design makes him happy and he would like to pay that forward by creating pieces that make people shine. “Jeux de Mains” is his first fashion label.
L’ATELIER NAWBAR – Fine Jewelry
(LEBANON)
All that glittered was gold for Dima and her younger sister Tania, playing in their father’s jewelry shop in London, crisscrossing between two continents. Their lineage of master jewelers dates back to 1891, when their great-great-grandfather opened the first boutique in Beirut’s famed gold ‘souk’. The sisters are now the fourth generation of Nawbar jewelers, reinventing history and taking cues from their unique personal stories.
MRS. KEEPA – Ready to Wear
(UAE)
Mrs. Keepa is a ready-to-wear brand by launched in 2016 by French-Egyptian designer Mariam Yeya. The pret-a-porter line has been captivating the audience with its contemporary and exaggerated silhouettes. The brand is mostly known for its avant-garde approach inspired by vintage and previous glamorous eras thus gaining a cult following of fashion-savvy women who appreciate sassy style and innovation.
NEMOZENA – Ready to Wear
(UAE)
Born and based in Dubai, the Nemozena story has roots in the heart of Italy. From first sketch to final stitch, garments are designed and produced entirely in Milan from the finest fabrics. What does it stand for? Authenticity. Inclusivity. Versatility. Through flawless construction and innovative design, transformable designs offer endless versatility while the newly launched Travel Edit was made for the modern woman on-the-go.
RULA GALAYINI – Handbag
(UAE)
Rula Galayini is a reflection of the woman who wears it: strong, edgy, and sensual; a power-bag and a contemporary statement piece. Her collections are designed for the everyday, yet tailored for the surprises that one never expects. With its playful metal work, buttery leathers, streamlined geometric designs and contrasting colors, her bags are as distinct and remarkable as the women who carry them.
TALAR NINA – Ready to Wear
(UAE)
Talar Nina specializes in women’s ready-to-wear jackets and bottoms using unique embroidered and woven textiles that have been meticulously crafted to create the ultimate garment that can easily go from day to night over years to come. The Armenian designer also works philanthropically with a percentage of profits donated to the ‘Moving Forward’ Centre for children in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri. Along with making sure her clothes are created by Armenians, from Yerevan to Beirut.
RONI HELOU – Ready to Wear
(LEBANON)
A luxury ready-to-wear designer based in Beirut, Roni Helou was born in Lebanon in 1992. In 2016, and upon his graduation from Creative Space Beirut- a free, progressive fashion school that offers design education- Roni showcased his collections at Fashion Forward Dubai for two seasons with Starch Foundation. Today the brand is all about sustainability, free education and animal rights are at the heart of the Roni Helou brand. Roni works to uphold these values in everything he does, from sampling to production and everything in between.
SARA MELKI – Ready to Wear
(LEBANON)
Gypsy in her soul, Sara Melki enjoys style mixing. She is known for her combinations of ethnic influences, refined materials and graphic cuts. Her elaborate outfits, always enhanced by beautiful accessories and “couture” details, create smart yet very modern looks.
YASSMIN SALEH- Ready to Wear
(LEBANON)
Yassmin Saleh offers luxury ready -to-wear for women who appreciate a good discussion behind a piece of clothing. Each season, a subtle narrative that tackles a modern-day socio-psychological phenomenon is translated into a collection of garments that appeal to women who value slow-fashion, high-quality sourced clothing and craftsmanship.
ZAID BY ZAID FAROUKI – Ready to Wear
(UAE)
Zaid Farouki is a creator by nature. Since all of his wearable art dresses are hand painted by himself, they are first and foremost pieces of wearable art, comparable to a masterpiece hanging in your dining room. A spinoff of his Creative House, Zaid Farouki, Zaid by Zaid Farouki is a contemporary label which is bold and unconvential and representative of a new, globalized world.
EASTWAVE Concept is now live on eastwaveconcept.com
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