last note Well suited
A thirst for travel and a fruitless search for the perfect tuxedo led Lebaneseborn designer Racil Chalhoub to launch her eponymous label. Nicole Wong meets the woman creating the most covetable pieces of tailoring in London
A thirst for travel and a fruitless search for the perfect tuxedo led designer Racil Chalhoub to launch her eponymous label
I was born in Beirut and grew up in Paris, a city that made my love of clothing blossom from a very young age. My mother used to take me with her to fashion shows in Paris when I was 10-years old, and I still remember being mesmerised by them and thinking, “This is what I want to do one day.”
I studied fashion design and marketing at college in London and moved back to Beirut shortly after I graduated to open a concept store with my childhood best friend. It was a boutique, café and bakery, all under the roof of an authentic Lebanese house. It was definitely the first of its kind in the region. I always knew a good jacket could pull together any outfit, and I’ve been obsessed with black tailored jackets for years, throwing them over everything from dresses to jeans. I spent years looking for something that was not too androgynous or too classic. When I realised I wanted to re-invent the concept of the tuxedo for the modern woman, I launched my own label. Each season’s collection is based around a different chapter, following the mood of the Racil woman. I currently live in London, and the latest collection is inspired by a woman visiting the English countryside, so we used chic tartan fabrics for daywear and elegant black-tie options for evening affairs.
I have a thirst for travel and always wish I had more time for it. Spending time in Asia and going on safari again are at the top my list, although my usual haunts include Mykonos, New York and anywhere with good snow for a ski trip. My mother is by far the most elegant woman I know. I have never seen her look any less than immaculate, even at breakfast. She has an innate sense of style and has taught me a lot about the fashion guidelines one should always keep in mind. These include good proportions, dressing with respect to the occasion or the place and never wearing anything that doesn’t suit you just because it’s in fashion. The Racil woman is always on the go. She can run from a business meeting to a friend’s lunch and loves a good social outing. Her wardrobe needs to follow her throughout the day and carry her from day to night and from night back to day.
My favourite person to follow on Instagram is Leandra Medine, the founder of fashion website Man Repeller.
If I could travel back in time, I would make two stops. One to the 1920s and another to the ’70s. I’m fascinated by both eras because they had a ground-breaking sense of freedom and liberation.
My attitude to accessories hasn’t changed much over the years. I love big statement earrings and fun clutch bags at night, and a basket bag or something from Mark Cross during the day.
My father once told me, “When you have to make a decision, make your choice and stick to it.” It has proven a very helpful piece of advice and I take it to mean, “Don’t look back, as the only way is forward.”
My most memorable fashion moment would definitely be the date I launched Racil, which was in March 2015 in Paris.