While Resort 2018 at Zayan the Label looked to the tale of Maharani and her travels from India to Italy, the Lebanese brand now goes on a jaunt to Paris for the inspiration behind its Pre-Fall ’18 offering. Inspired by her chic grandmother’s love story and life documented across newly-found mementos of the past, the millennial Zayan woman lifts elegant aspects of the past and places them in her so-now wardrobe. For the new collection, this translates to drop-waist dresses, candy stripe suiting, and rose motifs stitched onto capes in chunky wool threads. Titled ‘Mon Tout’ (My Everything), the collection delivers a playful sartorial line-up of threads that’ll usher in winter nicely: the vintage-look florals are muted, the homespun detailing is kooky, and brand’s signature gingham prints replay across asymmetric, ruffled dresses. If you especially like hemlines that graze a mere few inches above your ankles, walk this way.
After launching over fourteen years ago, the brand beams confidently in its niche part of the market as a go-to for women who want to a weave a new-season wardrobe around a romantic narrative, rather than pull pieces from here or there.”Pretty, intricate, and unexpected,” is how founding designer Zayan Ghandour describes the perpetual undercurrent to her evolving collections. Indeed, you can check all three here.
Vogue.me speaks to Ghandour, designer of Zayan the Label, and previews the Pre-Fall 2018 collection, as the brand continues to tell tales through the medium of fashion design.
What makes a woman stand out for all the right reasons?
“A genuine smile and a pop of colour.”
Who is the Zayan the Label woman?
She is on trend but she’s not bound by the trends. She’s playful and curious and enjoys discovering the story behind each collection – she’s a romantic at heart and values details and luxury. She loves to feel special.
The direction for the Pre-Fall collection is bold. Tell us how you arrived at this concept?
“For this collection I was inspired by a demoiselle who finds herself lost in the world of her grandparents’ apartment in Le Marais in Paris, an area we frequent often when on our buying trips. I’ve always found it so rich in charm and history with stories waiting to be uncovered around every corner… [It] sees her rummaging through her grandparents’ old photos, love letters, and personal belongings, discovering a tale of love between the two.”
Which piece is your favorite from the collection?
“The Lucille dress. That cut is extremely flattering… I’m really into shirts and t-shirts under dresses at the moment and love the dress when paired with the cream organza Lotus shirt, (named so because the sleeve opens up like a lotus flower) with the stitch detail around the edges inspired by our grandmothers’ tricot.”
How have you made noise in such a crowded industry full of brands?
“We stuck to our story season after season and always listened to what our customers are looking for. We stayed true to what we were always about: pretty details, luxury fabrics that feel good on your skin, vivid colours, intricate embroidery, bespoke prints and easy, flattering shapes.”
If you could give one piece of advice to a new designer, what would it be?
You will encounter lots of challenges along the way; some you would never have even dreamed of and most have nothing to do with design – just keep at it and always stay true to yourself. In the midst of so many distractions, keep it real and never stop enjoying the process.
Do you think the modest movement is misunderstood by people?
“I think the modest movement was always there: there’s always been a very big market for demure luxury womenswear that’s still super fashionable and on-trend and that’s something we’ve always made sure to offer each season. That’s why we design lots of kaftans and long dresses (which are some of our best sellers in department stores and boutiques across the region). They always have those ZTL signature details our customers are looking for. It’s about giving them a pretty unexpected take on what conservative dressing is supposed to look like.”
Fin.
Zayan the Label is stocked at: Ounass, Moda Operandi, Sauce, Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Harvey Nichols Riyadh, Bloomingdales Kuwait, Beymen Cairo and Zayanthelabel.com ships worldwide.
Related Read: Read Vogue’s review of Zayan the Label’s Resort 2018 collection