Design in Lebanon

Lebanon's design community is flourishing. We profile three designers from the world of furniture, fashion and jewelry who are making their mark.

David/nicolas, Jessica K and Selim Mouzannar

DAVID NICOLAS

David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem, the duo behind the David/nicolas design house, established their brand in 2011. Their innovative approach, together with their unique way of blending retro, contemporary and futuristic elements, translates into a wide range of projects, from furniture design to high-end bespoke interiors.

HOW DID THE BRAND START?

We first became friends and started helping each other out for our studies. I used to take David’s drawings during drawing classes and just scan and retrace them!

We knew we were going to end up opening our own practice and we were already collaborating on our final project. We believe our friendship led us to take that chance and support each other.

WHAT IS AN ESSENTIAL MARKER OF A DAVID/NICOLAS PRODUCT?

Whether it is an object or a space, we always have the same approach; we like to use many different materials in what we do. Mixing different materials creates junctions and space to innovate. What matters most is the energy the pieces or spaces generate and perhaps that is the one common thing in our work.

DO ANY OF THE DESIGNS HAVE LOCAL INFLUENCES?

Oriental culture is our culture; it’s what we grew up with. How we integrate it in our work might seem confusing, but it is very clear to us. Some would argue that what we do does not look oriental. We believe that it takes more than a look to achieve the exceptionally beautiful idea that is oriental.

It is a feeling, an energy we communicate in our work; it is not limited to pure aesthetics - that would be too dull. We are still learning a lot from our culture, learning how we fit in it in our own way and we believe that if someone follows our work closely they can definitely understand what we are trying to say.

TELL US ABOUT THE "CONSTELLATION" SERIES.

The "Constellation" series finds inspiration in the new life of a star and the explosion phenomenon. These pieces revolve around the relativity of perception and how such a phenomenon can be interpreted into tangible matter. Low tables rendered in travertine feature clean lines and undisturbed surfaces that are understood to represent the new beginnings of a celestial body.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NEXT?

We are part of the "Life in Vogue" exhibition in which we are reimagining the office of the editor-in-chief Emanuele Farneti.

In Beirut we are currently working on the first vintage watch store owned by the official dealers of Rolex in Lebanon. The project should be ready in June.

davidandnicolas.com

We are still learning a lot from our culture

JESSICA K

Jessica Khoueiri-achkar, the woman behind Jessica K, has believed in the empowering role fashion takes on from the moment she stepped into the fashion world. Having created her brand in 2010, Khoueiri-achkar has focused on crafting confident, feminine and refined silhouettes with the modern woman in mind.

TELL US ABOUT THE JESSICA K BRAND.

I’m always creating something new, something exciting. I’m determined to inject a sense of refinement and urban chic into every single piece I create.

Mixing masculine with feminine, leather with lace, and gold with sportychic styling, Jessica K is constantly reinterpreting fashion paradoxes to create easy-to-wear yet edgy collections with sharp day-to-night outfits.

TELL US ABOUT THE "LITTLE BLUFFERS" LINE.

It’s inspired by the mischievous and fun-loving nature of my two children, Peter and Milana. "Little Bluffers" is a fashion label for little ones with a bold and playful attitude, catering to modern and urban kids under eight years old.

We’re using quality materials and fun designs to create long-lasting garments that are functional, trendy and a little rock ’n’ roll.

YOU ALSO HAVE A JEWELRY LINE. HOW IMPORTANT ARE ACCESSORIES FOR CREATING THE PERFECT LOOK?

Accessories are important details that complete a look and we have a wide range of accessories from casual to evening.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT SEASON’S DESIGNS?

The Jessica K fall/winter 2019-2020 collection transports us to the warmer weather of the Golden State, with a mix of Beverly Hills 70s chic and Sunset Boulevard palm-tree sleek, the inspiration for this season’s original print. You’ll find nothing but strong, powerful, sensual women on a mission, dressed in everything from figure-hugging silhouettes to more masculine-tailored cuts in shiny materials or earth tones which are divine.

Bringing my signature modern-day twists to nostalgia-worthy playsuits, shoulderenhancing jackets and calf-length skirts, Jessica K will showcase pieces where bright yellows and green flirt with browns and blues, silky velvets and vinyl leather, wooly checks with color-block crepes. The accessories, in the form of statement earrings, necklaces and waist-cinching belts, are timeless hints to the era’s high-society madam who’s high on glam but also in tune with her inner diva.

Accessories are important details that complete a look

SELIM MOUZANNAR

Selim Mouzannar’s eye-catching jewelry blends the opulence of the Ottoman Empire with modern-day Beirut. With a clear focus on creating timeless pieces, Mouzannar opened his first workshop in 1993 in Achrafieh, where he carried on his family’s legacy as jewelers.

WHAT MEMORIES DO YOU HAVE OF YOUR FATHER’S WORKSHOP IN BEIRUT’S HISTORICAL JEWELRY SOUKS?

As a boy in Beirut, I used to roam the incense-filled halls of the souk where there were hundreds of jewelry workshops; my father’s and grandfather’s were among them.

During the afternoons helping my father, I would walk past the window displays jammed with jewels crafted in the Falamenk-ottoman style. Our region was heavily influenced by the Ottoman Empire; it is something that you never forget. I was familiar with different jewelry craftsmanship from a young age.

HOW HAS THIS INFLUENCED YOUR OWN DESIGNS?

I’ve always been attracted to the traditional houses of Beirut and architecture is a part of my heritage.

I live in my parents’ old house, which I have remodeled. Despite being full of modern comforts, I respected the style of traditional Beirut homes when I renovated.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACTIVISM FOR NON-VIOLENCE AND THE PURPOSE OF THE “AMAL” NECKLACE.

I experienced war at an early age and my way to fight against it is to be an epicurean and an irrepressible optimist.

I called the necklace “Amal” as a message of hope for a united and reconciled mankind, in a world where nature will have reasserted itself. It is made with Colombian emeralds of various sizes and shades.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE “FISH FOR LOVE” COLLECTION?

The Mediterranean is for me an eternal inspiration, the place where I enjoy resting and recharging.

This season I dived into the intense blue with sparkling multicolored fish symbolizing life and love. The use of enamel gives me lots of ideas to create new patterns of fish scales on rose gold and colorful additions with stones.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NEXT?

Nature is always at the center of my life. My latest collection is a tribute to sea flowers - their color, power and poetry. I’m working on new statement pieces for the “Fish For Love” collection as well as iconic ones, like ”Beirut” and “Istanbul.”

selimmouzannar.com

Nature is always at the center of my life