Tala Hajjar Khalaf, PR Director for Maison Rabih Kayrouz gives a first hand account of Nhar B Saleh a one off event in Gemayzeh, which Beirut’s trend-setters can’t stop talking about.

Bringing together 10 designers and artists was a very exciting challenge.

It was the first event of its kind in Lebanon and we were all very eager to see the outcome.

The idea was for each participant to come up with an original one off piece, based on a blank canvas-like dress (designed by Maison Rabih Kayrouz), which was then revisited by the artist according to his or her own work and expertise.

The day itself was an immense success! We're still overwhlemed by the results!

Despite the hot weather, people showed up 4 pm sharp,  holding the maps we had given them, and making sure they were not going to miss anybody.

The street looked spectacular.  Baskets were hanging from every atelier with color coded satin ribbons for each designer.  The satin ribbons holding the baskets glowed during the day and when the sun set, the whole installation was lit with colored projectors. In the evening, candles lit the staircases connecting the different ateliers. We owe it all to  Samer el Amin, the creative director behind Nhar B Salleh, who did a fantastic job!

Aside from the actual pieces made for the event and the designers' presence,  it was the atmosphere in each atelier, that made the event so special. 

For example, at Maison Rabih Kayrouz vistors were greeted with jazz music playing in his beautiful atelier, while rosewater drinks and marzipan nibbles were served continuously. At Sarah’s Bag, Sarah Beydoun had asked Caline Chidiac (PR director for furniture designer Nada Debs and one of Beirut’s trendiest characters) to DJ in the common courtyard.  Music, green apples, mojitos, candy, marshmallows made it all feel like one huge garden party.

The next day, the phones wouldn’t stop ringing we got so much positive feedback it was truly incredible. People kept repeating ‘WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA! WHAT A FANTASTIC VIBE!’

We owe it to Beirut to repeat the event again and again...And make sure to keep that very precious cozy spirit that makes our neighborhood what it is.


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Nhar B Saleh Participants included: a number of well-established local talent, as well as some exciting new names. These include Nada Zeineh (designer jewelry), Sarah’s Bag (bags and accessories), Je Rêve Aussi En Dormant by Valerie Lahoud (women’s fashion), Mac Design (personalized designer jewelry), Maison Rabih Kayrouz (Couture), Fulvio Codsi, Flavia Codsi, and Jean-Marc Nahas (artists/painters), Nathalie Khayat’s Ceramics Studio (ceramics), Anna Bros by Pascale Makhlouf (designer shoes), and Material Girl for Gueule de Bois (home accessories).