Among upcoming fashion designers, the young Lebanese George Hobeïka held a prominent position in Paris at the Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2008 fashion shows at the end of January. His was a collection full of freshness and rich colors despite the moroseness of a grey and depressing Parisian winter. Spring was spread out in front of us with shimmering natural colors such as green granny apple, pink fuchsia or the sun’s yellow plus dresses vibrant with blossoms of every hue.

George Hobeïka uses satiny cloth, artistically draped, which glitters in the light.

The clothes seem to coat the body with a swirl of creases which end in flowers, reminding us of beauty and the freshness of nature. The women wearing them appear to be magnificent flowers. During our interview, Hobeika talked about his background as well as his love for artistic creation.

Initially you wanted to study architecture, but then you decided to dedicate yourself to “Haute Couture.” Why? And do you need to be gifted to succeed in this endeavor?

I came to France in 1999 to continue my studies; I met a lot of people working in “Haute couture.” I was impressed by Chanel and Thierry Mugler and I realized how much their work influenced me. And also how the world in which this art evolves is different from the idea that I had. In Lebanon I had the feeling that a creator’s job was restricted to a very small world.

Paris opened my eyes, and I realized that I could accomplish my dreams by working in the fashion business. Of course you must be gifted to succeed, but it is not enough. You have to be patient, and hard working, and during my childhood, I had a good experience and influence since I helped my mother who is a dressmaker.

Did your mother encourage you?

She was very anxious about my future; she knew how difficult it is to succeed in this kind of artistic career. But seeing my determination, she helped me and supported me. And she financed my first fashion show in Beirut in 2000.

How do you prepare a show?

Ideas succeed one another and link themselves before and after each season. And after a fashion show, I take a good look at all the clothes and then I make a new evaluation. For example, by double-checking the clothes which are new creations, new ideas come to mind. Sometimes the theme of the next collection is already in my thoughts.

Can you say that the main subject of your spring-summer 2008 show is the flower?

I want to make things that are original but that are also easy to wear. I think it is not necessary to come up with strange and bizarre things in order to prove ones artistic abilities. A woman needs to imagine herself in a dress and I am fond of a correlation between my creation and the “female divinity.” I have clients all over the world, especially in the Arabian Gulf and I adapt my creations for my customers. I create according to their style and their culture but I always maintain my own modernity and originality. It is important to me that every woman who wears my clothes feels unique, like a queen.

You live in Lebanon. How are you able to create with so much joy and beauty in such a sad setting?

I appreciate this question because it gives me the opportunity to pay homage to the Lebanese people. Nothing stops the Lebanese determination to go on. The Lebanese is optimistic by nature; he looks straight in front of him and overlooks the difficulties. Everywhere in the world the Lebanese tries to excel and to be known for his abilities. We often meet managers of firms or bosses of Lebanese origin who succeeded far from their country. We have a saying that says the wealth of Lebanon is the Lebanese people. Lebanon always remains standing, thanks to the determination of its people and, I regret to say it, not because of its leaders.

Usually I refuse to listen to news that never tells us anything good. I prefer to spend my time with my family, in the mountains, far from politics. My work has made many people see that we can create and export art and my work encourages people who have left to think of coming back to Lebanon.

People have spoken a great deal of the problem of anorexia. Must the young women be so unnaturally thin in order to wear your designs and creations?

In reality for us fashion designers, it is easier to work with a thin model. The final aspect is more stylized so we can see the slightest defects and correct them.

A lanky silhouette does not mean that a woman should not have form and shape. It is just a question of comprehension. I prefer women who are not very tall. Just to tell you, I am sure that all our models eat well. Of course, they are careful and watch themselves but they do not starve themselves.

What about your future plans?

People ask me to decorate flats, and I like the idea because it is also a very inventive and creative field of endeavor. I would like to have a client who gives me the possibility of imagining the decoration of the flat or the room. Moreover, I am going to move into the creation of pieces of furniture and organize a furniture exhibition.