Chrystelle Atallah is a fashion designer from Lebanon. Her designs features classic and feminine creations made up of fine materials , hand embroidery and delicate material work making each piece unique and exceptional. Let's meet her ...
A brief presentation ?
I am a Lebanese Fashion Designer. My age is 30 and my fashion house is specialized in Bridal and Evening Luxury Wear and is based in Beirut.
How can you describe your childhood?
I have had a happy childhood and was lucky enough to be born in an artistic family.
My dad is a producer and play writer and my mum in charge of all the costumes designs in the play. This is from where I have developed my love for creation and art and my passion for fashion.
On the other hand, I have also inherited a sense of style from my grandmother that I call my muse and she is an inspiration in most of my collections.
Your school career?
I have graduated from college with a baccalaureate in economics and social sciences and then at the age of 18 , joined ESMOD ( Ecole superieure des arts et techniques de la mode ) from which I have graduated in high honors in both designing and pattern making.
What sparked your interest in fashion?
As mentioned above my environment and childhood developed my interest for creation and a special passion for creating garments especially that i use to accompany my mother to select materials for the costumes and observe tailors produce outfits .
How did you come to start your own line?
After maturing my experience in the field by working with several renowned fashion designers and different international brands , I have ventured into
Successfully creating my first collection and opening my own fashion house only at the age of 23.
As mentioned above my environment and childhood developed my interest for creation and a special passion for creating garments especially that i use to accompany my mother to select materials for the costumes and observe tailors produce outfits .
How did you come to start your own line?
After maturing my experience in the field by working with several renowned fashion designers and different international brands , I have ventured into
Successfully creating my first collection and opening my own fashion house only at the age of 23.
What made you take fashion more seriously and make a career out of it?
The success I have found after creating my first collection and the positive feedback made me take fashion more seriously and wanting to make a serious career out of it.
Are you self-taught or did you study fashion design?
As mentioned above, I carry a diploma in fashion design and pattern making . I have also matured my experience by working with several international fashion designers before opening my own fashion house.
How has your work evolved since you began your own label?
In regards to the style , I make sure to introduce new designs and ideas every season and to still maintain the Chrystelle Atallah style signature that is nowadays more recognizable .
On the other hand , the production house is getting bigger and the Chrystelle Atallah family is evolving and holds a team of specialists in the field to maintain a high standard of professionalism .
Have your pieces become more appealing to people as a result?
Yes sure , the demand for Chrystelle Atallah custom made and ready to wear bridal and evening is growing every year and I am working hard to maintain a high standard of quality and finishing to please my clientele .
I propose a Chinese picture. What or who would you be if you were:
A fruit ? An apple
A country ? Italy
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?I am currently working on the wedding dress of my sister as well as 5 bridesmaids and the rest of the family. It makes me so excited to get to the big day.
On the other hand, I can’t wait to start working on the new collection because I have plenty of new ideas that I want to see come to life .
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?
I have learned that success is only achieved by continuous effort and improvement and art demands persistent work.
I also believe that one should think big , believe big , act big and the results will be big.
What advice would you give to young designers?
I advice young designers to believe in themselves and to never give up on their dreams .
Can you tell us about your spring/summer 2016 collection?
My latest collection entitled “ A New Leaf “ marks a departure of a new chapter in life. The collection features wedding gowns mostly with A shape cuts , as well as evening gowns.
Fine materials like tulle silk , lace , crepe silk , satin Razmir and guipure lace were used .
The colors used are white and off white for bridal and ; off white , powder pink , pale yellow , blue and navy blue for evening.
What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
Launching my new collection successfully is my main goal before the end of the year. Others projects are still in process but require more time.
Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
I am a simple person and I do believe that God makes everything happen at the right time .
What’s your motto?
*Do it with passion or not at all.
*If you can dream it, you can do it .
The success I have found after creating my first collection and the positive feedback made me take fashion more seriously and wanting to make a serious career out of it.
Are you self-taught or did you study fashion design?
As mentioned above, I carry a diploma in fashion design and pattern making . I have also matured my experience by working with several international fashion designers before opening my own fashion house.
How has your work evolved since you began your own label?
In regards to the style , I make sure to introduce new designs and ideas every season and to still maintain the Chrystelle Atallah style signature that is nowadays more recognizable .
On the other hand , the production house is getting bigger and the Chrystelle Atallah family is evolving and holds a team of specialists in the field to maintain a high standard of professionalism .
Have your pieces become more appealing to people as a result?
Yes sure , the demand for Chrystelle Atallah custom made and ready to wear bridal and evening is growing every year and I am working hard to maintain a high standard of quality and finishing to please my clientele .
I propose a Chinese picture. What or who would you be if you were:
A fruit ? An apple
A country ? Italy
A color ? black or nude
An historical figure? Coco Chanel or Audrey Hepburn
A movie ? Taken
An actor ? Liam Neeson
A fault? Gluttony
An object ? A wedding dress
An historical figure? Coco Chanel or Audrey Hepburn
A movie ? Taken
An actor ? Liam Neeson
A fault? Gluttony
An object ? A wedding dress
How would you describe your personal fashion style?
I love classic and casual style, and I always wear comfortable clothes because my work requires movement. I love heels but tend to wear flats most of the times.
I design haute couture gowns and this is different from the style I wear daily, however I always seek doing comfortable dresses that makes the clients feel at ease while attending their occasions.
I design wearable and decent dresses also, that I would surely wear.
How is your work received internationally?
It is a pleasure to see my work getting international success and to have customers from different countries in the world , as well as receiving tons of emails from clients from all over the globe asking about point of sales as well as many approach from different high end boutiques to feature the Chrystelle Atallah collections in their stores .
However, a daily and continuous work is required to ensure the right steps are taken for the proper brand exposure.
I love classic and casual style, and I always wear comfortable clothes because my work requires movement. I love heels but tend to wear flats most of the times.
I design haute couture gowns and this is different from the style I wear daily, however I always seek doing comfortable dresses that makes the clients feel at ease while attending their occasions.
I design wearable and decent dresses also, that I would surely wear.
How is your work received internationally?
It is a pleasure to see my work getting international success and to have customers from different countries in the world , as well as receiving tons of emails from clients from all over the globe asking about point of sales as well as many approach from different high end boutiques to feature the Chrystelle Atallah collections in their stores .
However, a daily and continuous work is required to ensure the right steps are taken for the proper brand exposure.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?I am currently working on the wedding dress of my sister as well as 5 bridesmaids and the rest of the family. It makes me so excited to get to the big day.
On the other hand, I can’t wait to start working on the new collection because I have plenty of new ideas that I want to see come to life .
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?
I have learned that success is only achieved by continuous effort and improvement and art demands persistent work.
I also believe that one should think big , believe big , act big and the results will be big.
What advice would you give to young designers?
I advice young designers to believe in themselves and to never give up on their dreams .
Can you tell us about your spring/summer 2016 collection?
My latest collection entitled “ A New Leaf “ marks a departure of a new chapter in life. The collection features wedding gowns mostly with A shape cuts , as well as evening gowns.
Fine materials like tulle silk , lace , crepe silk , satin Razmir and guipure lace were used .
The colors used are white and off white for bridal and ; off white , powder pink , pale yellow , blue and navy blue for evening.
What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
Launching my new collection successfully is my main goal before the end of the year. Others projects are still in process but require more time.
Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
I am a simple person and I do believe that God makes everything happen at the right time .
What’s your motto?
*Do it with passion or not at all.
*If you can dream it, you can do it .
Sakina LOUDARI
Contact: inakina@gmail.com
