rising ☆

here is an interview with milia m, first arabic designer who showed at milan fashion week.
milia has a loyal,adoring and growing following in the region and is stocked around the world.
did i mention she has beautiful store in downtown beirut?
must visit if you are in paris of middle east this summer.

☆how and when you started designing?
i started designing in 1992.my own brand was established in 2000.

☆☆what the is most rewarding part of being a designer?
recognition.

☆☆☆how challenging is being a designer in middle east?
quite a big challenge despite the fact that the competition is less, so the exposure is bigger and the consumer is very open to buy upcoming designers from the region.
what's difficult is to create the platform that is non existent in terms of manufacturing and know how many levels of the process.
also to reach the international scent without living in the center where the fashion scene is happening.

☆☆☆☆ what or who are your influences, design-wise?
i was quite inspired by the japanese designers at the beginning, not anymore.
today i'm not sure my work is influenced by others.
every collection of mine influences the coming one, so it develops in its own identity.

☆☆☆☆☆ i won't ask about your inspiration.instead i will ask about inspirational people.
who inspires you?
some women who are already in my life but i'm also inspired by movies such as henry and june, based on a book of anais nin and character played by uma thurman or emmanuelle beart in nellyet monsieur arnaud.

☆☆☆☆☆ what are your favorite pieces?

our famous "thread top" - a silk top hanging on very thing silk threads made in different colors or also a very think tank top.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆what do you think of interviewer?
(i know, we've never met - it's sort of my standard last question)

i'm happy they are here and interested and always appreciate when they put a personal note in their questions and a give style to their story.