Growing up in Cold Lake as the son of Lebanese immigrants, Amar Chehayeb didn't talk much about his passion for fashion.
His parents, who own a construction company and restaurant in the northeastern Alberta community better known for its military base than its fashion sense, expected him to become a doctor, or perhaps an engineer like his brother.
But even as a child, Chehayeb had a strong interest in women's fashion. "Every time I'd go shopping with my mom, I'd always be browsing through the women's clothing. She thought I was more interested in the mannequins," says the 24-year-old with a laugh.
"Now she realizes where it was coming from."
Chehayeb, who graduated last year from the fashion design program at George Brown College in Toronto, will be presenting his first-ever collection at Western Canada Fashion Week on Tuesday night.
Though he was born and raised in Cold Lake, Chehayeb carries with him a strong connection to his Lebanese culture and says it's a huge influence on his fashion sensibility.
"I love the richness of the lace, the beading, the handwork. There won't be any of that in my collection now, but that's what really attracts me."
Instead, his "mini-collection" of 10 pieces, which includes jackets, dresses, bodysuits and a gown, is inspired by the serpent, he says. It's clean and practical,mulberryhandbags with an abundance of black satin and snake-print fabrics in fitted silhouettes "that show off a woman's curves," yet are elegant and tasteful, he adds.
While a career as a fashion designer is "very frowned upon" for a man in his culture, most of the big-name designers in Lebanon are men, Chehayeb says.
"And some of the best designers out there are Lebanese.monclerouterwear"
Still, Chehayeb pursued a more traditional path at first, moving to Edmonton at 18 to take sciences at the University of Alberta for three years. He seriously considered a career in medicine or science before moving to Toronto to take fashion design.
"I just couldn't picture myself being in a lab for a career period of my life," he says. "I love the innovation of the (fashion) industry - It's more vibrant, young, fun and creative."
While his family was initially surprised at his career choice, they've come to be supportive and encouraging, he adds.
His father even offers suggestions and ideas for designs, says Chehayeb. "It's hilarious. There's this show called Style on the Middle Eastern, Lebanese channel and my parents always make sure they watch the fashion segment of it." He laughs. "Then they call me up and they tell me what's going on."
Chehayeb says his love of beautiful clothes and rich fabrics must come from his grandmother, who used to do a lot of sewing. "I've just always been infatuated by the luxury of garments and how it basically transforms a person, wearing a great piece. It's an art in itself, especially the couture branch of the fashion industry."
Lebanese culture puts a lot of emphasis on esthetics and personal style,cheapcanadagoose he adds,goodchloehandbags much like the French culture.
While he draws inspiration from nature, architecture and sculpture, his artistic influences are far more Middle Eastern than North American, he adds. "Even in my days at school, when I was illustrating,cosmeticbagfactory they'd say, 'your artistic style is different than Canadian style,' which is weird because I was born here, but I've been influenced through the blood."
His parents, who own a construction company and restaurant in the northeastern Alberta community better known for its military base than its fashion sense, expected him to become a doctor, or perhaps an engineer like his brother.
But even as a child, Chehayeb had a strong interest in women's fashion. "Every time I'd go shopping with my mom, I'd always be browsing through the women's clothing. She thought I was more interested in the mannequins," says the 24-year-old with a laugh.
"Now she realizes where it was coming from."
Chehayeb, who graduated last year from the fashion design program at George Brown College in Toronto, will be presenting his first-ever collection at Western Canada Fashion Week on Tuesday night.
Though he was born and raised in Cold Lake, Chehayeb carries with him a strong connection to his Lebanese culture and says it's a huge influence on his fashion sensibility.
"I love the richness of the lace, the beading, the handwork. There won't be any of that in my collection now, but that's what really attracts me."
Instead, his "mini-collection" of 10 pieces, which includes jackets, dresses, bodysuits and a gown, is inspired by the serpent, he says. It's clean and practical,mulberryhandbags with an abundance of black satin and snake-print fabrics in fitted silhouettes "that show off a woman's curves," yet are elegant and tasteful, he adds.
While a career as a fashion designer is "very frowned upon" for a man in his culture, most of the big-name designers in Lebanon are men, Chehayeb says.
"And some of the best designers out there are Lebanese.monclerouterwear"
Still, Chehayeb pursued a more traditional path at first, moving to Edmonton at 18 to take sciences at the University of Alberta for three years. He seriously considered a career in medicine or science before moving to Toronto to take fashion design.
"I just couldn't picture myself being in a lab for a career period of my life," he says. "I love the innovation of the (fashion) industry - It's more vibrant, young, fun and creative."
While his family was initially surprised at his career choice, they've come to be supportive and encouraging, he adds.
His father even offers suggestions and ideas for designs, says Chehayeb. "It's hilarious. There's this show called Style on the Middle Eastern, Lebanese channel and my parents always make sure they watch the fashion segment of it." He laughs. "Then they call me up and they tell me what's going on."
Chehayeb says his love of beautiful clothes and rich fabrics must come from his grandmother, who used to do a lot of sewing. "I've just always been infatuated by the luxury of garments and how it basically transforms a person, wearing a great piece. It's an art in itself, especially the couture branch of the fashion industry."
Lebanese culture puts a lot of emphasis on esthetics and personal style,cheapcanadagoose he adds,goodchloehandbags much like the French culture.
While he draws inspiration from nature, architecture and sculpture, his artistic influences are far more Middle Eastern than North American, he adds. "Even in my days at school, when I was illustrating,cosmeticbagfactory they'd say, 'your artistic style is different than Canadian style,' which is weird because I was born here, but I've been influenced through the blood."
