Born and raised in Beirut, KAREN KARAM studied fashion at London’s famed Central Saint Martins – in the footsteps of two of her favourite designers – ALEXANDER MCQUEEN and JOHN GALLIANO. Upon graduation, she perfected her craft by working for McQueen, Galliano and Chloe.

Currently based in London, her fun, girly and quirky designs have not only found their way to celebrities like LILY ALLEN and NATALIE IMBRUGLIA but also onto the pages of magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

In spite of being in the middle of designing her new collection, the talented designer takes time out to talk to us about her journey thus far, her favourite spots in London and her experience studying at Central Saint Martins.

What was it like for you, growing up in Beirut?

It was great. Beirut is family, friends, school and home. Beirut is very inspiring; its mix of  Europe and the Arab world makes it such a great collision of culture and identity.

Describe the moment where you realized you wanted to be a fashion designer.

It was a long long time ago. I was still in school and the teacher had asked us to draw figurines. I neglected the project and started drawing dresses on the figurines. I failed that project! But I enjoyed it so much that I thought this is what I wanted to do. I was too young to know what a fashion designer is. I actually still have those drawings!

Why did you decide to do a degree in psychology initially?

There was no fashion school in Lebanon and my parents didn’t want to send me abroad at 18, and since I always had an interest in psychology, I ended up applying for it.

What are some of the biggest differences between Beirut and London?

For me, the biggest difference is the freedom you have in London as an individual. You could be whatever you want to be and no one judges. I love that freedom; I find it so inspiring. I was once on the bus and saw a man walking with a rabbit suit on, and I thought, I really love this city! It’s fun knowing that if you felt like wearing a pink wig with a bird on your head, no one would even bat a lash!

London is also the melting pot of artists from all over the world, although Lebanon is now becoming a center for art in the Middle East. I am very happy that this is happening as it is bringing a new flavor to Beirut.

How did you decide on London and CSM?

I actually decided on CSM first and then London came next. When I was in Beirut I researched where McQueen and  Galliano had studied and decided that is where I wanted to study.

How did you manage to go from a degree in psychology to fashion designing in CSM?

It was not an easy transition, although I did study fashion at ESMOD in Beirut. The way that they work in CSM is completely different and I was not used to it. At the beginning I really felt like a fish out of water. Then, I discovered that it was just a different technique than mine but the base is the same.

Tell us more about the experience at CSM.

It was great being a student surrounded by different artists in London, just between Soho and Covent Garden. Our tutor used to always say that you learn the most by just by being in this building surrounded by all those artists and creativity.

We all remember falling in love with Mary Poppins, the perfect nanny. Is there a specific reason how she inspired you for your graduate show?

It was the concept behind Mary Poppins – escapism – that had attracted me to the movie. I wanted to create something that was surreal, just like in the painting that they jump into and escape to that beautiful scenery of gardens, and carrousels. I was touching on how, during the war in Lebanon, I used to escape the bombing and my fears by dreaming that I was living in this world where carrousels run free.

Tell us how it felt like to have your designs snapped up by Colette, Paris, right after graduation.

All I can say is that after I met with them and they said that they loved the collection and wanted to have it in store, I waited until I was out of the store on the corner and started jumping and laughing like a crazy person.

You once said that the years you spent working for McQueen, Chloe and Galliano were the best years of your life. Do you remember a specific experience?

So many bad, good, exhausting, and funny ones! I had the privilege of being the student that brings John his lunch on a silver tray every time he was in the studio. I was so stressed out about it the first time, that I broke the microwave because I left it working for 10 minutes when there was nothing in it. I designed most of the prints for the ready-to-wear Galliano collection.

At McQueen, they used to ask me to dress up depending on what theme we were working on, I had to dress like Pocahontas once, it was really funny!

How did you manage to score work placements with some of fashion’s biggest names?

The reason why I moved to London was because of McQueen and Galliano so I knew when the time came that this is where I wanted to do my training. I kept on sending CVs until I got the reply that I wanted. It was the best thing that I have ever done. I’ve learned far more then I knew I would.

Tell us about your relationship with London and your 5 hot spots in the city.

London is my home. With everything that it is (the good and the bad), it is where I feel I belong. My hotspots are:

Battersea Park
Portobello market on a Friday
Aime children’s shop in Westbourne Grove
The Conran Shop at South Kensington
Lounge Lover at East End

Famous celebrities have donned your designs, could you give our dear readers some of your personal style tips?

Color, color, color. Although everyone loves color, I have found that people are more conscious when dressing up in color. A beautiful color can make the simplest dress a statement piece. I’m not into accessorizing; I like my clothes to get all the attention.

Tip: Don’t wear something because someone says that it’s the in thing to have, wear it because you love it. It makes a big difference.

What is the KAREN KARAM female all about?

Fun, party, quirky, smart, confident, stylish, and most importantly: young at heart!

What are you currently working on?

My S/S 11 collection, but can’t give any more information

Any advice to aspiring designers?

Believe in yourself and love what you do.

Shop Karen Karam’s latest collection

Written by Joyce See

Images Courtesy of Karen Karam.

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