Rami Kashoú: opening doors

March 19th, 2010 | Published in Designers

Click here to view larger image.

Rami Kashoú, among his many accomplishments, took his place as runner-up in Season 4 of Project Runway. Audiences around the world were able to get to know the designer better, and here we will find out even more in an exclusive String Magazine interview with Rami Kashoú.

The photo above was taken by LA-based photographer Volker Fleck during a shoot with Rami Kashou, which was featured on String Magazine. He is looking to expand the work he does in Hollywood to our own Hollywood North, and is currently looking for representation here. Contact us for more information.

Describe your design mandate in 3 words.
Elegant, timeless, sophisticated.

If you could only work with one type of fabric and one colour, which would it be?
Silk georgette in any shade of interesting green.

If you had to pick only one of your designs to represent you, which would it be?
An evening gown.

In the grand scheme of things, what do you hope the impact of your work to be?
Encouraging women to feel more confident and comfortable with their bodies and help enhance their beauty in an elegant way throughout my work.

Which celebrity/icon do you have your sights set on to wear your designs next?
Angelina Jolie.

Why did you choose Los Angeles as your home base?
Los Angeles is a great melting pot where many different industries create the perfect marriage. Music, Film, Fashion, Theatre among others. Hollywood and celebrities play an important factor in the fashion industry; therefore, it provides more opportunities to work with celebrities on a regular basis. Aside from that, the weather is amazing!

How do you feel about the fashion industry in LA?
I think the fashion industry in LA is growing and always progressing. Los Angeles is now recognized as one of the biggest competitors in sports wear. In my field, which is high-end design, it also serves a great purpose, where there are many clientèle and great demand to my work. It is also considered a central location aside from NYC for people from all over the world to come and visit. I also think that LA is the type of place that offers variety in designer ethics, which provides more freedom to design and less restriction.

What was the turning point in your life when you decided this was the path for you?
Ever since I was 6 years old I had an interest to fashion design, sketching, and so on. It has always been my calling.

If you weren’t a designer, what do you think you would be doing right this very moment?
I would be a chef… I love food and restaurants and think that it is another creative outlet that provides much comfort! Food is wonderful. We eat with our eyes, smell, and taste, of course. It is also a great way to bring people together.

Being born in Jerusalem, how do you feel your background has affected you as a fashion designer?
I come from a very strong culture with great history and tradition. Our culture is rich with embroidery, draping and style and I believe that it whispers through my work consistently.

Briefly tell us about your design process.
The 1st stage is inspiration (searching for ideas, sources, things that speak to me). This is later followed by an endless amount of sketches which are later also edited and narrowed down. Then fabric shopping and the pattern design process which involves a team of technicians such as pattern makers, sewers, cutters and so on. Once the collection is made and ready, we move into fittings and alterations with models. This is followed by a photo shoot with hair and make up teams. The final step is the show and sales appointments. Once that stage is finished, then the requests come in from celebrity stylists and magazines who are interested in wearing and photographing the collection.

Where do find yourself drawing inspiration from the most?
It varies. My latest collection was inspired by Frank Gehry’s Disney Concert Hall Building in Los Angeles. Architecture was the theme throughout the collection. Sharp lines and some softer lines pretty much shaped the collection. I don’t put restriction to any theme or inspiration. I always make sure that the garments are classic in a way and timeless.

What has been your biggest challenge as a designer and have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
I think in design, we are always living in the future and rarely in the moment. Having to part with a collection once it is finished and move on to the next quickly. That is always challenging and I think any artist likes to spend some time with his or her art work. I have come to terms with it, though. I think times travels very fast in this industry and I have managed to part with something the minute it is completed… It is considered done!

What would you think about showing your collection to the Canadian market, for example in LG Fashion Week in Toronto
I think it would be great. There is a market everywhere in the world and Canada would certainly be one of those places that I would be open to including on the list.

If you had to choose a Canadian city to spend some time exploring in fashion-wise, which would it be?
My guess would be Vancouver, although I am not certain!

What do you see in the long-term future for the Rami Kashoú collection?
An expansion in the brand where it grown in a global direction. A flagship boutique. An accessory line. I also see my bridal collection always expanding into a world of its own.

What are some exciting things that are happening with the Rami Kashoú line in the near future?
Designing for Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan is a great experience, a fashion show in the Middle East in the near future, a bridal collection that is currently available on my website but will soon expand… An online boutique at www.ramikahshou.com.

Going through so much criticism during your time on Project Runway, how have you felt about criticism, both coming from yourself and others, of your designs since?
I think that it was difficult for any designer to be told what to and not to design.. Although in the end it was a great experience because it tested my own faith in my work. It also brought forth an endless amount of support from the public who encouraged me to simply remain true to my design ethic because they embraced it. I was able to take some things with me and leave other comments.

How did it feel to have to create a complete collection without knowing if you would for sure be showing at Fashion Week?
It was the most difficult thing. A lot was at stake… and I battled with “should I do this or do that” through process the 1st month. Then I got to a point where I simply decided that the most valuable thing for me out of that experience was to remain true to who I am as a designer and not to worry about the outside critics. That is when the creative process began to flow and the collection came to life. Otherwise, I think I would have been trying to be something else and have failed. I succeeded in the end and the judges saw the progression and essence of my point of view.

How did you feel about being described as “cerebral” by Michael Kors? Would you say it’s true?
I thought is was on point. I agree with that comment simply because all of my pieces aim to encourage a women to feel special, unique and beautiful. I celebrate women through my work and have much appreciation to a woman’s form.

What piece of advice would you give a starting designer?
Follow your inner instinct because that one thing will make your work special and unique.

Tell us something about you that not many people know.
I am a wonderful cook !

Watch Rami Kashou’s S/S ‘10 campaign short film “BETWEEN THE LINES”:

Published in Designers