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Al Arabiya.net, UAE
January 17, 2015 Saturday
Pitti's Middle East: Heritage, culture inspires designers in Florence
While Italian brands dominate the scene, this year saw some prominent
Middle Eastern designers displaying their collection. (Salma
El-Shahed/ Al Arabiya News)
By Salma El Shahed | Al Arabiya News - Florence
Saturday, 17 January 2015
The Pitti Uomo fair has been attracting some of the best fashion
designers and producers to Florence since 1972, where retailers and
buyers pick and choose from a sea of men's fashion, from suits and
shirts to cufflinks and socks.
While Italian brands dominate the scene, this year saw some prominent
Middle Eastern designers displaying their collection, which
incorporated their cultural backgrounds.
....
Lebanese-Armenian powerhouse
Tateossian London marks its 25th anniversary this year as the
world-renowned men's accessories brand attends its 49th Pitti fair,
and in June, it will be their 50th.
Founder and designer Tate Ossian was born in Kuwait to
Lebanese-Armenian parents. He then spent a child hood globetrotting
from Rome, Beirut, Paris and New Jersey before going to the University
of Philadelphia.
Tate Ossian stands near his collection of men's accessories. His label
is world renowned for its cufflinks and bracelets. (Al Arabiya News/
Salma El Shahed).
When asked whether his time in the Arab world influenced his designs,
Tate Ossian said: "I wouldn't say it affected my designs, because I
think what really guided my design style is probably living in Rome
which is the place I spent most of my time growing as a kid."
However, the designer said his time in the Middle East gave him the
"sensitivity and sensibility when dealing with Middle Eastern
clients."
This year, the brand aims to "focus very seriously" on the Gulf region
and Saudi Arabia.
"Lebanon is a place where we have great visibility," Ossian said,
adding that "we're missing distribution in Abu Dhabi and Jordan...Egypt,
Qatar."
While he said he would not want to develop a new collection exclusive
to the region, Ossian said he would design a series inspired by the
Middle East.
"I think it's always good to keep your origins and heritage and
incorporate that are part of that into your collection...I would develop
things that are inspired."
"For example, we opened a store in Yerevan, I've looked at some
Armenian architecture, incorporated that into the designs."
"I do that on a regular basis," he added.
From: A. Papazian
January 17, 2015 Saturday
Pitti's Middle East: Heritage, culture inspires designers in Florence
While Italian brands dominate the scene, this year saw some prominent
Middle Eastern designers displaying their collection. (Salma
El-Shahed/ Al Arabiya News)
By Salma El Shahed | Al Arabiya News - Florence
Saturday, 17 January 2015
The Pitti Uomo fair has been attracting some of the best fashion
designers and producers to Florence since 1972, where retailers and
buyers pick and choose from a sea of men's fashion, from suits and
shirts to cufflinks and socks.
While Italian brands dominate the scene, this year saw some prominent
Middle Eastern designers displaying their collection, which
incorporated their cultural backgrounds.
....
Lebanese-Armenian powerhouse
Tateossian London marks its 25th anniversary this year as the
world-renowned men's accessories brand attends its 49th Pitti fair,
and in June, it will be their 50th.
Founder and designer Tate Ossian was born in Kuwait to
Lebanese-Armenian parents. He then spent a child hood globetrotting
from Rome, Beirut, Paris and New Jersey before going to the University
of Philadelphia.
Tate Ossian stands near his collection of men's accessories. His label
is world renowned for its cufflinks and bracelets. (Al Arabiya News/
Salma El Shahed).
When asked whether his time in the Arab world influenced his designs,
Tate Ossian said: "I wouldn't say it affected my designs, because I
think what really guided my design style is probably living in Rome
which is the place I spent most of my time growing as a kid."
However, the designer said his time in the Middle East gave him the
"sensitivity and sensibility when dealing with Middle Eastern
clients."
This year, the brand aims to "focus very seriously" on the Gulf region
and Saudi Arabia.
"Lebanon is a place where we have great visibility," Ossian said,
adding that "we're missing distribution in Abu Dhabi and Jordan...Egypt,
Qatar."
While he said he would not want to develop a new collection exclusive
to the region, Ossian said he would design a series inspired by the
Middle East.
"I think it's always good to keep your origins and heritage and
incorporate that are part of that into your collection...I would develop
things that are inspired."
"For example, we opened a store in Yerevan, I've looked at some
Armenian architecture, incorporated that into the designs."
"I do that on a regular basis," he added.
From: A. Papazian