Paris Fashion Week: interview with Naja Saade, virtuose of haute couture dresses

Beyond the collective imagination, the Côte d'Azur is still today a privileged destination. More than anywhere else, the sun dominates and the Mediterranean shimmers with a silvery blue. The palaces are sumptuous and the perched villages splendid. The spirit is festive and the nights rather short. Over the years, the craze for this south continues to grow and extends to a large part of the coast and gave way to movie stars and other personalities. At the same time, the creation of the international film festival in Cannes will definitively establish the glamorous and luxurious image of this part of the territory. Thus in the 50s and with the help of Brigitte Bardot, Saint-Tropez, a small fishing village, became the place to be with the international aura that we know. It is with a collection of 35 looks that the designer " Inspired by the Mediterranean Sea, Naja Saade proposes his new collection "Femme d'Azur" during the Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 23. Beautiful and glamorous dresses that reflect the different shades we can think of the French Riviera. Clean lines and marked shoulders, embroidered with pastel color marked the elegance of the collection. Shades of grey, shades of blue, pink or lilac from dusk to dawn, and iconic red dress, it truly reflects the Mediterranean happiness, classiness, and glamorous spirit. Naja Saade definitely brings to every women’s, the opportunity an escape to an out of time, nevertheless extraordinary world.

Indeed, Naja Saade is one of the most avant-garde and prodigy fashion designers, creating sculptural, elegant and sparkly, pure garments. In 2020, after having long accompanied women through his Haute Couture fashion and wedding gowns, and as a step to accompany them in their day-to-day life, Naja Saade released his first and definitely not last- collection of ready-to-wear garment.
Saade is leaving an imprint on this era’s fashion scene, influenced by astonishing designing and craftsmanship throughout the years, and equipped with a talent that challenged the norm and was emulated to reflect the dream.

And as Naja Saade Mantra say “Exteriorizing your magic will always be his call!” Interview.






 

- Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Naja Saade. I was born in Lebanon, in Baabdat, a beautiful village in the mountains.
In 2003, I obtained a diploma in Radiology. After 6 years of endeavor in this field in one of the most advanced hospitals in the Middle East, I finally started the one-thousand-mile journey towards realizing my dream. I took the first step and joined the School of Fashion Design in Beirut where I had the opportunity to shape my talent, closely monitored by some of the most renowned fashion designers in the Middle-East. Today I am an international designer and my designs are worn by women all around the world.

- Can you tell us all about your history, do you remember the very first piece you create and the moment you decide “This is it, I’m gonna create my own dress/luxury brand”?
Since my early childhood, pens and scissors were my favorite toys, drawing and creating designs were my favorite activities. I always knew that I was going to be a designer.

- What's your favorite part about being a fashion designer, what are your strengths and the biggest challenge?
What I like the most about being a fashion designer is that my designs can reflect the woman’s image and personality and mirror her femininity in all its forms.
Exteriorizing every woman’s power and light will always be my call.
My biggest challenge lies in exceeding my own expectations before others. I want women to live their extraordinary moments wearing even more extraordinary designs.

- What inspires you the most when you create?
The music -related to the new collection’s theme that I listen to while creating my designs always inspires me. It is as if I am stitching, embroidering and folding the sounds and melodies I hear into my collection.
I am also inspired by the luxurious materials and fabrics I intend to use. I am motivated to explore them, collect ideas, and come up with original and delicate feminine designs and precise craftsmanship.
Moreover, I do research and look into characters who reflect the theme of the collection I’m working on, and I draw my inspiration from them.

- If your collection was a person, how would you describe it?
She is a woman who perfectly combines modernism with refined traditional elegance. She is simple yet extremely refined, attractive and glamorous.

- Tell me about an important lesson you learned about working in the fashion industry, what do you like the most in it?
I learned that the fashion industry is always moving forward. There are too many challenges and I constantly have to offer my clients something different and new.
There is no room for complacency. Every collection I create feels like my first one.
I like that my designs do not reflect the woman’s physical beauty only but her character, her inner beauty and her role in the society as well. I think of all these parameters when creating a design.

- What are your favorite trends in fashion, both in the past and present?
In the past, the 50’s fashion trends: Corsetry, skirt suits, swing dresses…
As for the current trends: Metallic fabrics, mixing colors and fabrics as seen in "Femme d’Azur", my RTW spring summer 2023 collection, the accessories completing the look and spicing it up.

- Your favorite creation so far and why?
The red dress has a special place in my heart. It breathes confidence and makes a bold statement. It is present in all of my collections and is always cherished by my clients.
The wedding dress is also one of my favorite creations because it immortalizes one single eternal moment.

- A last word for the young designer out there who for sure is inspired by your work?
My advice to any young designers is to live their life to the maximum because inspiration can be found in the world around them. I would advise them to read books, listen to music, watch movies, travel, and experience the world. The more experiences they have, the more creative they will be.