In the same manner, Iraqi-born designer, Lamis Khamis, has begun conquering her own kingdom of loyal fans and celebrity clientele as the Middle East’s queen of embellished causal wear. Lamis Khamis’ eponymous brand was founded in London and is just as bit hard-core with the heavy presence of rocker-style suede tasseled vests and panther adorned T-dresses. While her menswear consists predominately of fitted tees with the crystallized Ace of Spades or Joker motifs, her womenswear is much more than a designer T-shirt line. Khamis’ female designs are handcrafted and possess her signature dose of provocative femininity manifested through delicately dyed furs and an overdose of sparkle. 

With a degree in Fine Art Sculpture and Ceramics, Lamis Khamis’ design background is as diverse as her style. “I went on to study a general art and design course at college, which allowed me to train in all the art and design fields, but very little in fashion. My training took place in graphic design, photography, textiles, sculpture, ceramics and painting.”

Her academic career at Camberwell College of Arts gave the creative freedom to express herself through a variety of artistic modes, however. “I learned to express myself in a more artistic and less confined way. I think that really helped in the way I design now.”

Khamis didn’t go directly into fashion, though, as she felt she needed to build her business skills first. As a result, she stepped into the corporate world before professionally pursuing her passion for fashion. “I worked in advertising and sales after I graduated college, just so I could fund my ideas to be able to set up my own fashion business,” explains Khamis.  “I also felt I needed to have more business skills and learn to work for other people before I started my own business.”

Yet as fate would have it, she was destined to transform into the celebrity designer that she is today sooner than she had anticipated. As it were, Khamis would customize her clothes and rework designs using her self-taught sewing skills. “I taught myself how to cut and sew on my mothers sewing machine. I would take my clothes apart and re-construct them into something else, then add a few trimmings to bring a new lease of life into them.” She continued to create while working at the advertising agency for six years.

Then one day, she unexpectedly received the call into the fashion career she had always desired. “I went out shopping with a friend in a really posh part of London wearing one of my creations, which was a customized pair of jeans with vintage brooches and pins,” explains Khamis.  “Three different boutique owners approached me, wanting to buy similar pairs. So I took up the offer and delivered my first big sale. All the pieces sold out within days of reaching the stores and I haven’t looked back since.”

Because Khamis was never attracted to the trendy options that most boutiques and department store had to offer, it forced her to create customized pieces. This remained the case even after her acceptance as a cutting-edge designer among the fashion industry.

“When someone used to ask what I did for a living, I would say ‘I customize clothes.’ I didn’t think I was good enough to call myself a designer,” confesses Khamis. But that soon changed once she began exploring her creative potential on a full-time basis. Soon, her masterpieces were considered favorites among many industry professionals, from stylists and photographers, to buyers and celebrities.  Her eclectic style combined her background in fine arts, with an artist’s attention to detail. 

Inspired by the changing dynamics of a modern woman, Lamis Khamis designs clothes that effortlessly hug the woman’s silhouette to accentuate her body and casually highlight her femininity. “The essence of Lamis Khamis is to continuously re-invent creativity in fashion through the combination of fabric selection and designs. Every pattern undergoes a series of sketches before the final model is ready for production. Individual pieces are handmade using unique techniques inspired by excellence. Our objective is to maintain consistency and be relevant to different market trends,” states Lamis Khamis.

The Lamis Khamis collection is comprised of RTW pieces that have become instant must-haves. They mainly consist of tops and dresses, sweatshirts and outerwear. The pieces are versatile and can be worn all year round. “I like to design clothes that can be worn for all occasions,” explains Khamis, “For example, a light-weight T-shirt over a pair of skinny jeans is perfect for the day, but can then be transformed with a belt, clutch bag and platform shoes for the evening.”

Khamis is also a fan of layering. “Clothes should be versatile, non seasonal and of a good quality,” she asserts. “I make my clothes with layering in mind. For example, a T-shirt can be worn a cardigan or jacket over it during the colder months.” She explains that in today’s world, inside temperatures are artificially adjusted through air conditioning or heating, which often create a contradictory atmosphere to the outside. This makes layering ideal. “It’s great to wear an outfit that one can add onto or remove layers of,” she states.

“My main style and idea for my brand is to include separates that can be mixed, matched and layered,” explains Khamis. “I prefer designing ready-to-wear garments as that is the way the whole industry is gearing towards. People don’t spend as much money on clothes as they used to so they want pieces that are comfortable, affordable and trendy.”

The Lamis Khamis collection is not just functional and affordable, but it’s also incredibly eclectic in a unique manner that makes us craving for more. She is fulfilling her mission to produce pieces that are unique in design and quality, one cameo at a time. “I want people to enjoy wearing my clothes because it makes them feel good,” she explains, “I try to put a lot of my own energy in the pieces I create and through that I want my clientele to use that energy to make the pieces their very own. I want to add a bit of style in everybody’s wardrobes.”

Similar to the way Audigier teamed up with Don Ed Hardy, the godfather of tattoo artists, to create of the the most successful contemporary collaborations, “Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier;” Lamis Khamis teamed up with British illustrator, Emma Durnell who graduated from London College of Fashion in Illustration. “I use illustrators that compliment my work or ideas. For example, in the current collection, Khamis fell in love with Durnell’s work as soon as she saw it. “Having a Fine Arts background enables me to appreciate the work and skills involved.”

“I was very happy when I used to get requests from fashion stylists to make clothes for the celebrities they styled; especially since I was personally asked for by the clients to make something special for them.” Lamis Khamis has adorned A-listers from both sides of the ocean, from Pink, Paris Hilton, and Gwen Stefani; to Geri Halliwell and, Katie Price, Kylie and Dannii Minogue.

You don’t need to be a celebrity to wear one of Khamis’ designs, but you might feel like one after wearing her designs. The next collection of Lamis Khamis promises to be even better! Her line of her sought-after crystal-embellished tees will be added into more new shapes and unique cuts. “For the printed collection, expect to see some really great, lightweight fabrics in some really great loose and draped shapes ideal for layering, and done in soft pastel colors with bright and girlie prints,” reveals Khamis.  “I’m so excited to release the collection as I think it will be another great success. It’s a very fun collection and my favorite to come.”

The collection can be found throughout the Middle East in such trendy boutiques such as: Tiger Lily in Dubai, La K Boutique in Lebanon and Blush Boutique in Bahrain. The highly coveted designs are soon to be available in Saudi Arabia.