Hussein Bazaza is one of Lebanon’s designers that has taken the fashion world by storm with his distinct style and his clever take on combining juxtaposing fabrics & patterns. Not only is he creating art, but breathing life into his creations by adding elements of storytelling.
He’s proven himself to be an ocean of inspiration for fashionistas all around the world and manages to combine styles as diverse as the fast-paced world we live in. Everything from breezy, feminine dresses & structured, statement pieces to streetwear, like bomber jackets and shorts. Even a collection of homewear, with pajamas you can wear while enjoying a late Sunday morning breakfast in style.
Bazaza was meant to be a star from the start, interning for Maison Rabih Kayrouz in Paris immediately after graduating, and later working for Elie Saab as a junior designer. At only 23 years of age, Hussein was already opening up his first showroom and atelier in Beirut.
During his career path, he has managed to receive several prestigious awards, like the Elle Style Award of Best Upcoming Middle East Designer in 2013, Best Emerging Designer for The Middle East Fashion Awards 2015, Forbes Middle East’s ARAB 30 UNDER 30 List of 2018 & a finalist for Fashion Trust Arabia’s first edition in 2019.
With 2020 being a dark year for everybody, Hussein didn’t want to stay aside. After the unfortunate explosion that happened in Beirut, Bazaza launched a fundraising campaign for the Children Cancer Center of Lebanon, which was severely damaged because of the blast. All proceeds from the clothing items sold from their archive collection went to CCCL.
He also took 2020 as another chance to experiment in his craft. He launched Bazaza Homewear//The Introvert Project, a collection of classic cuts of pajama sets and robes with a daring spin on what cozy can be. This, after dipping his toes into casual wear, with exclusive slogan T-shirts and streetwear, a capsule collection with the aim of celebrating much needed mental health and expression.
We are honored to have him today on our platform, celebrating Middle Eastern talent.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
I believe my soul has yet to sing; I still haven’t heard its voice. I have no idea if it has a high-pitched tone, or if it would just growl instead. But I think it might be singing somewhere deep in the shadows, still unheard.
I ask myself about happiness on the daily. Is whatever makes me happy necessarily good for me? What if what makes me happy now is only just a phase? I hate tomatoes today; maybe tomorrow I’ll love tomatoes. Do tomatoes make me happy?
Bazaza- behind the scenes. 
Hussein’s sketches.
A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY
I hope shaving Barbie’s hair counts as a creative announcement by itself.
Other than that, I would answer exam questions with sketched dresses in school while changing my entire bedroom based on my mood at home.
Bazaza, SS21. 
BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS
When my heart is abnormally beating, either too fast or weirdly too slow; when anything stimulates my emotions.
Every collection has always come to life from just one feeling or a chaotic bundle of sensations altogether.
Husein Bazaza’s homewear collection – Introvert Project
THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST
Fashion related; I haven’t worked on it yet. I have so many projects in mind and I’m just waiting for the right time.
But I got immersed in interior design when I decorated our new showroom and I’m so proud of how it turned out, so it definitely makes the cut.
Hussein rocking his own bomber collection.
THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST
Everyone has a favorite, so I really can’t tell which was loved the most.
THE BEST THING ABOUT LEBANESE CREATIVITY IS
That our creativity comes from being submerged into so many different cultures and yet still has such a strong heritage.
If used right, Lebanese creativity can be so incredibly interesting.
There is always that blend of orientalism with westernism that mixes just right.
Bazaza SS21//Numb 
Bazaza SS21//Protective 
Bazaza SS21//Powerless
BEST STATEMENT OF LEBANESE HUMOR
At the moment, I can’t think of anything funny related to Lebanese.
With a revolution followed by Covid-19 and the worst economic crisis in history, it’s a bit hard to find any humor in this.
ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO LEBANESE CREATIVES
Creativity has no nationality.
Bazaza SS21//Mad 
Bazaza SS21//Regret 
Bazaza SS21//Attachment
BEST PLACE IN BEIRUT
With or without the lockdown, it’s my rooftop.
BEST PLACE IN LEBANON
The mountaintops.
MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT LEBANON, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS
We’re not terrorists.
LEBANON SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR
Its resilience.
YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY
I’m a big believer in energy being transferred and everything happening for a reason; I go from forming relationships with people based on their energies, business decisions are made from people’s vigor, my daily life goes off on vibes around me. That’s my form of spirituality.
YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY
It comes and goes.
AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE
Quotes are my go-to.
The pages I follow are mostly Instagram accounts with just inspiring quotes.
They’re literally words of wisdom from people that have lived centuries ago, or random sayings from nobodies but that resonate so much.
They provide so much knowledge by simply scrolling through and always making you think.
A LEBANON BASED FEMALE TALENT THAT DESERVES TO BE PROMOTED AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, AS EXPONENT OF LOCAL CREATIVE SPIRIT
Rémi Akl. Just watch her IGTV series.
Photos courtesy of Hussein Bazaza.
For those interested in checking out his full collections, click here for his online store.