It’s official: Maison Rabih Kayrouz has been made a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, making the Lebanese maison one of the 17 fashion houses that are officially on the haute couture calendar. The news comes after the couturier was elected as a guest member in 2016.
The status is granted to a select few by the French Ministry of Industry and the Fédération Française de la Couture, the governing body for the French couture industry and is a big deal in the fashion world.
The Lebanese designer — who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his eponymous label — was inducted into one of France’s most elite fashion clubs at a meeting of a commission of the Ministry held at the French Couture Federation on December 3, 2018. Maison Rabih Kayrouz joins established labels such as Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Chanel as well as newcomer Alexandre Vauthier on the couture calendar.
Kayrouz launched his womenswear label in 2009 following stints at Dior and Chanel. He is known for his structured gowns in ethereally fluid fabrics, feather-light cuts with a dainty femininity, and expertly-tailored separates that have found fans in everyone from Céline Dion and Jessica Kahawaty to Ciara and Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Chambre de la Haute Couture reviews its roster of official couture houses annually. There are 13 guest members on the couture calendar this January, including Balmain, which announced its return to the couture calendar for the first time in 16 years. The couture shows are to take place from January 21 to January 24, 2019.
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