Sign Of The Times: Nadine Kanso Joins Forces With Berluti
The Dubai-based multifaceted creative is the first Middle Eastern designer to collaborate with the iconic French brand
Collaborating with some of the most prestigious brands in the world has become a thing for Nadine Kanso. A woman of many talents, the Cultural Entrepreneur and Creative Director at Bil Arabi has been a stalwart of the Middle Eastern style scene for over two decades. Her latest artistic endeavour is to stamp her famed calligraphy on everything from t-shirts to bags for Berluti. Being the first Middle Eastern designer to collaborate with the brand Nadine says: “To collaborate with a brand of Berluti’s stature is not just a personal milestone, but a testament to the global appreciation of the region’s art and culture. It fills me with immense pride to have contributed to the celebration of our region through this collaboration.”
How did the collaboration with Berluti come about?
The collaboration with Berluti was a serendipitous fusion of two brands that deeply value craftsmanship, individualism, and innovation. When Berluti approached me, I was immediately drawn to the idea, sensing the potential of marrying its iconic style with Bil Arabi’s essence. Our shared values laid the foundation for this collaboration, which was further amplified once the collaboration began. Together, we embarked on a journey, driven by mutual respect and a shared vision, to create something truly unique and representative of both our identities.
How do you envision women incorporating the Berluti pieces into their daily wardrobe
Similar to our designs at Bil Arabi, all of the pieces that fall within this Berluti capsule are designed keeping in mind a gender-neutral audience. Personally, I enjoy experimenting with my style, often leaning toward androgenous pieces myself and I feel that this collection perfectly embodies that with a t-shirt that can be worn by both men and women, as well as leather accessories that can definitely find a place in a woman’s wardrobe.
Your jewellery is inspired by calligraphy and the Arabic alphabet. How did you infuse that in this collection?
When I was approached by Berluti, the House welcomed me to discover the brand at its atelier in Paris. I was introduced to the artisans that give life to each Berluti design and for a deeper understanding of its renowned leather craftsmanship. During my visit to the atelier, and while speaking to the teams, I came to realise that the House, its artisans, and its clients share such a strong bond – a sense of belonging. This feeling of community and connection is where the idea for my design for this collection was born. The circle in our collaborative logo is not just a shape; it symbolises unity, community and the close knit bond that clients share with the brand. This is also further emphasised through the Arabic word “Kunn,” which means “to be,” – to be together. The Arabic letter ب or ‘b’ is featured alongside Berluti’s signature ‘B’ to represent the fusion of our worlds, the coming together of tradition and modernity, and the stories that bind us.
How do you define success? And how has it changed over the years?
I feel that the term success is very relative. I could consider myself successful at any stage of my career, and there will always be thousands of people doing more than I am. For me, the feeling of success is very personal. I woke up one day and realised that I do not want to leave this world without people knowing my work. It’s not about me, it’s not about fame or money – it is my idea, my vision that I wish to share with the world. I do think that I’ve been able to achieve this at some level but I want to continue striving to bring our culture in the global spotlight. This is how I would define success. And, of course, when I see my design worn by people, it fills me with a sense of pride – because it means that they resonate with Bil Arabi as a brand, and me as an individual.
What advice would you give to the young women in this region wanting to step into design?
I believe that every Middle Eastern woman has a unique story to tell and I want to encourage them to dive deeper and find a creative outlet to express themselves through design. As Arab women, we are raised and surrounded with such rich culture and heritage, and we have the power to strengthen the region’s positioning on the map through our voices, and our art.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s March 2024 issue