Fashion sector in Lebanon & meeting the Elie Saab’s challenge

Endeavour Lebanon held a press conference last Friday on the future of the fashion industry in the country during which it presented the findings of a study on the structural weaknesses and strengths of the design and fashion sector. Endeavour Lebanon is a non-profit economic development organization that aims to support entrepreneurs from both sexes and in particular, young talents in the field of fashion design. Marie Christine Tabet, who conducted the survey, pointed out that the size of the global couture market is estimated at USD 420 billion compared to a USD 48 billion in the Arab Gulf region and only USD 40 million in Lebanon. She explained that fashion items under ‘Made in Lebanon’ tag are experiencing a fierce competition, despite the prominence of Lebanese fashion designers who have claimed international recognition in the domain, namely Elie Saab. Tabet drew also attention to the crafts industry that is disappearing, stressing the need to revive it. On the key challenges that hinder the development of this industry, the study indicated a decline in domestic sales due to the current country and regional instabilities which have affected the arrival of Arab tourists, poor marketing practices inside Lebanon, and the fact that retailers in Lebanon normally have no trust in the locally made fashion wear. For her part, Lara Khury, a Lebanese designer, complained that there is not enough recognition and space for independent fashion designers like her to emerge. To note, Khoury studied fashion design in Paris and trained in Lebanon under the supervision of Elie Saab and Rabi Kayrooz.  Khury, who launched in 2010 her first collection which carried her brand, regrets the fact that she sells nearly 60% of her production out of the country, particularly in Arab Gulf states, in Asia and particularly in China. (L’Orient Le Jour, 5 May 2015)