#StyledByCed: Celebrity Stylist Cedric Haddad On How Lebanese Divas of the Past Would Dress Today
Stylist to the stars Cedric Haddad celebrates the Lebanese women that shaped his fashion perspective and shares how he would dress them in the country’s leading designers today
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to witness an era of true Lebanese fashion icons. The incredible looks that Fairuz, Sabah and Lady Madonna wore during my youth are forever seared into my psyche. Their daring and wholehearted embrace of both their talent, and the spotlight, made me want to help other women look and feel just as fabulous. Fairuz became known for her timeless, classic looks. She favours kaftans and caped dresses finished with a bold accessory, like a large necklace or a statement headpiece. Sabah, meanwhile, pushed her style into more of a folkloric direction and brought to the fashion foreground embroidered bodysuits and leather embellishments. And then there was Lady Madonna. She went where no one dared with her love of feathers and hats, she was a true fashion avant-gardist. They called Beirut “The Fashion Capital of the Middle East” and throughout my career, it has always been the Lebanese woman who has been my muse. Her unique elegance, timeless beauty, grace and sophistication are my North Star when it comes to my stylist aesthetic. As this issue celebrates Lebanon, it was important for me to honour the singular style of my birthplace. And yes, I still dream of one day having the privilege of styling Fairuz – it would be an unforgettable full-circle fashion moment.
Lady Madonna
Lady Madonna has always been a big fan of feathers (as am I). This dress from Zuhair Murad’s latest couture collection would suit her skin tone, hair colour and her slender shoulders, not to mention satisfy that love of plumes.
Pairing it with some of Karen Wazen’s futuristic shades gives the look an edge I know she would adore.
Fairuz
She has long excelled at creating memorable looks out of a more traditional Oriental style. That’s why I would dress Fairuz in this blue couture gown from Elie Saab.
I would also add the extra flourish of an Aura headpiece, resulting in a look that honours her sartorial past, but with an eye towards the future.
Sabah
With Sabah’s famously voluminous blonde hair, I can only imagine her wearing gold. This gilded couture dress from Georges Hobeika would be a fantastic look on her.
Images Supplied.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s July/August 2023 Issue.