Lebanese fashion designer Hussein Bazaza has rapidly taken the fashion world by storm with his distinct style and his clever take on combining juxtaposing fabrics & patterns and breathing life into his creations by adding elements of storytelling.
Don’t believe us? Let his last collection speak for itself – or should we say – herself?
Portu, the name of his latest collection, takes the shape of Hussein’s childhood imaginary friend, his alter ego.
The Lebanese designer has declared that he wouldn’t consider himself the actual creative director of the collection, but Portu, who has always been his creative mind, the force that drove his motivation and let his imagination bloom.
Opposition is a common theme in his work, but in this particular experimental collection, Bazaza’s wish was to present the contradiction between reality and fantasy and how they can beautifully dance and create a story.
Hussein’s brand has a certain signature that fashion aficionados are quick to spot, a certain structured and sophisticated aesthetic, which can definitely be observed here as well.
The collection features strong and grungy looks, plastered with delicate silhouettes and elements. We can find a variety of colours, which include fierce black, plum and orange, but also preppy lilac and nudes.
Fresh out of university in 2011, Bazaza impressed with an internship at Maison Rabih Kayrouz in Paris and later worked for Elie Saab as a junior designer before being selected by the Starch Foundation to introduce his ready-to-wear line in 2012. At only 23 years of age, Bazaza opened his first showroom and atelier in Beirut.
The 28-year-old designer has garnered several awards since then, including “Best Upcoming Middle East Designer” by Elle Style Awards, “Best Emerging Designer” by The Middle East Fashion Awards and Forbes Middle East’s ARAB 30 UNDER 30.