RAD HOURANI A/W 10-11

Dazed Digital.com-- The Canadian born, Paris based designer shows off a slick, sexy collection that’s more than meets the eye.

Text by Carolyn Brennan Photography by Mark Reay | Published 17 February 2010

http://www.dazeddigital.com/Fashion/article/6615/1/Rad_Hourani_AW_10-11


Thanks to his razor sharp aesthetic and bondage inspired style, in several short seasons Rad Hourani has garnered quite a cult following in New York and beyond. The designer’s army of darkness stormed the runway to the suspenseful tones of “Black Planet” by The Sisters of Mercy. There were dramatic capes, jackets with attached backpacks and the designer’s signature draped jackets and strap front leather pants. The most important theme of the collection was transformation: Hourani created many pieces that could be folded like origami into completely different looks. Though his price points are still sky high, Hourani’s fashion resourcefulness is just what we need in this economic climate.

Dazed Digital: What was the starting point for this collection?
Rad Hourani: The starting point was all about transformation, and about creating pieces that are unisex. With these pieces you can create both masculine looks and feminine looks, or you can create tough looks or sensual looks. It’s about making it your own way, and making it go with the mood that you are feeling each day– whether it be masculine, feminine or unisex. I was able to take one jacket and create many different shapes with it. For instance, the cape that you see on one guy is also transformed into a different jacket on another girl. It’s also worn as a skirt on another model. So we have around 12 different ways of wearing one item.

DD: I really liked all of the knits that you did, and how they obscured the models’ faces.
Rad Hourani: Yes, the silk cotton knits– these knits are transformable too. You can wear them as a skirt, or as a scarf or cape. With the knit cardigan you can take off the sleeve, turn it into a scarf, or you can wear it just as a vest or even as a skirt. So my collection is all about transformation and creating completely new silhouettes.

DD: How do you feel your collection has developed from the previous season?
Rad Hourani: I don’t really think about it that way. I think more about continuation from the last season. It’s things that I’ve wanted to do in the past but never had time to do. So I think the development will be how the pieces are able to transform, and you can take it very far. We had ten jackets, and with these ten jackets you can wear them 26 different ways.

DD: How did you decide upon the styling of the hair and makeup?
Rad Hourani: I wanted to do something timeless and unisex, in a way that isn’t trendy or the look of the moment. It’s all about slick silhouettes and models that look very modern. I don’t like references to the past. I don’t want someone to say, “Oh its ‘70s or ‘60s or ‘80s.” I wanted the models to look fresh and clean and completely timeless. And it’s all about the clothes. It’s not really about the hair and makeup for me because I want the clothes to stand out. But at the same time, you still have to apply perfect makeup and have flawless foundation, and that’s why I like working with MAC. They have the best products for these kinds of things.

DD: What’s your advice for young designers just starting out in the industry?
Rad Hourani: It’s important to always have a clear vision of what you want to do. It’s not about just creating a collection. Creating a collection takes so much time and if you want to do it right, it takes so much energy and effort. You have to be very passionate about what you’re doing. If you want to be a designer, you must be real to your vision and have faith in what you believe in… and you need to work really, really hard (laughs). It’s not easy. But if you put all of your energy and love into it, you will get somewhere. It’s all about believing in your vision and believing in yourself. And remember to think about what you want to wear, because that’s the most important thing.

Rad by Rad Hourani Presentation

DazedDigital.com-- Rad Hourani takes the next step by launching his diffusion line at the Soho Grand Hotel last week.
Text by Carolyn Brennan | Published 04 August 2009
http://www.dazeddigital.com/Fashion/article/4261/1/Rad_by_Rad_Hourani


Despite unbearably hot temperatures, the downtown fashion pack crowded in the Soho Grand's outdoor garden for the first glimpse of RAD by Rad Hourani, a new diffusion line presented by the up-and-coming Canadian designer. Though it seems a bit premature for Hourani to be launching this collection already, (after all, he's only been in business for four seasons) he is eager for his dark and minimalist vision to spread. "The team is growing in New York and Paris," Hourani says. "I felt it was the right time to launch the collection, as we've been getting many requests about an affordable line from retailers and clients that can't afford the main line."

While Hourani's main line uses plenty of leather, cashmere and other high-end fabrics, RAD by Rad consists of more affordable cottons and jerseys, but maintains the designer's affinity for angular, razor-cut fashions. "It's a unisex second line based on the same aesthetics of my main line, but with a touch of casual, urban wear to it," says Hourani. "I'm always into long, straight, sharp and slick silhouettes, geometric shapes that, by the use of noble, fluid materials, can come alive through the movement of the wearer." Among Hourani's fifteen androgenous looks are perfectly draped jackets with jagged lapels, skinny jeans with zippered slits over the knee, and oversized printed tees all paired with chunky black square toe boots. The lack of button or zip closure on the outerwear may seem unfinished to some, but it does add to the clothing's slouchy, relaxed appeal. The mostly black, white and grey collection also included a dash of color in the form of a bright red jacket.

With lower price points ranging from $100 to $400, RAD by Rad will be available online this November at www.radbyradhourani.com. Hourani's main line is currently available in limited locations including Seven New York, Feathers London, Reborn in his hometown Montreal and Holt Renfrew in Toronto, but the designer will confirm more retailers following this coming fashion week.

Rad Hourani A/W 09/10

DazedDigital.com-- The Montreal export adds a newfound shine and depth of texture to his latest collection.
Photography by Shawn Brackbill Text by Carolyn Brennan | Published 23 February 2009
http://www.dazeddigital.com/Fashion/article/2074/1/Rad_Hourani_AW_09


The famously self-taught Rad Hourani from Montreal has been carving out a hard-edged niche for himself, never straying too far from sexy androgynous looks. For A/W 08, that case remains but there was an added experimentation with fabrics and textures and jewelled embellishments that made Hourani shine on the last day of New York Fashion Week.

Dazed Digital: What were your inspirations for this season?
Rad Hourani: My main influence is myself. It's always something that is a continuity of the first collection I started. It's just a feeling... doing what I want to wear, it's a continuity of all of that. My references are always the same: architecture, graphic design... it can be an image, a movie, a person-- it can be anything. There are no specific influences. I always make clothing that I would like to wear myself. It's completely myself, as if I'm a frame that catches everything around me and related to me-- everything that I see and do. And my brain is like a computer that spits out what I feel like wearing.

DD: I attended last season's show and loved it. Is there going to be as much leather this time?
RH: There is always lots of leather, but I'm also really hoping to see how technology will evolve-- especially with the development of fake leather. I use real leather now, but I would like to eventually experiment with fake leather that looks and feels real. I would like to look into it one day, when it's the right time.

DD: Despite your "no-background background," how did you first become interested in fashion?
RH: I guess when I was a kid, my mom used to always take me to her seamstress. I was always surrounded by fabrics and pattern makers. I was really a little kid, so I didn't understand what it was all about. But then I also never wanted to wear anything that the other kids where wearing. Like when my mom would buy me the same outfit as my brother, there was no way I would wear it. I was always into something different-- something that has an aesthetic that doesn't belong.

DD: And lots of black!
RH: Yeah, and my background was really finishing high school, and after high school I started scouting. The one day someone said to me, "Ah, you have great style, why don't you be a stylist?" And I had no idea what styling was. From there I just really continued developing my personal style, and thinking about what I would want to create. I kind of knew that one day that I would start making a collection with my name as a brand-- but for a while maybe I didn't feel I was ready. I never like to do something half way, you know? I want to do it the right way. And I've always been like that about a certain aesthetic. But I'm not interested in fashion-- I'm interested in style. I speak to people who are interested in something seasonless. Something that they will figure out how to wear themselves and make it their own.

DD: What other fabrics are you using today?
RH: I always use silk, wool-- the classic fabrics that will never go out of style, but then I like to mix it up. I like paillettes, or sequins, and the effects of patterns. I look for fabric that has a comfort to it, and then I mix it up by adding some little touches. I always like subtlety-- but this time I feel like having fun so maybe I put more flash in there. When I pulled looks for the show, I like to pair the flashier pieces with more subtle ones.

DD: Which designers are you most influenced by?
RH: I've really always be attracted to Pierre Cardin. I think he was someone who started something that was a bit more futuristic, more modern and graphic. And he kind of invented fabric, he was a great designer. If I see something from another designer that I like, or something that relates to me, I will always relate it back to Pierre Cardin.

DD: Do you live in New York now, after showing in Paris in the beginning?
RH: Yes, part time. So I was living in Paris full time and it just felt natural then. After that I spoke to Wayne Sterling (my casting director) about casting the show and I said, "Ah, why not do it in New York?" And I like the idea of being from nowhere and everywhere. For me, cities are the same as numbers and the same as colors-- it's not something that has a limit to it. I feel very comfortable in New York, I feel like home here. Everyone has been very supportive here, so it's been great.

DD: What are your plans for the future of your label? Where do you see yourself in a few years?
RH: It's a continuity to the beginning, and it's really sticking to my style and just developing it as much as possible. It's like a feeling I want to continue... I would like to have accessories, shoes, bags. I would also like to eventually have my own perfume.

DD: What you have going on, it's like a way of life.
RH: Yeah, it's a world I've created... a world, my world that I have in my mind-- and if you like it, if you want to get in it, that's good, that's wonderful.

Rad Hourani S/S 09

DazedDigital.com-- This Montreal-based designer continues to show his signature asexual, aseasonal clothes.
Photography by Shawn Brackbill Text by Carolyn Brennan | Published 14 September 2008
http://www.dazeddigital.com/Fashion/article/1056/1/Rad_Hourani_SS_09


In a solid white studio in New York's Nolita neighborhood, an army of androgynous cyborg-like models marched through a maze of benches, clad from head to toe in black, black and more black. A well-dressed friend turned to me and said, "This stuff makes me want to go home and burn all of my clothing." And I'd pretty much have to agree. If my wardrobe consisted entirely of Rad Hourani, I'd be a very happy girl.

Nominated as one of Style.com's "Top Ten New Designers" after showing his A/W '08 collection in Paris, Rad Hourani has become a hot name for editors and stylists to watch. At just 25 years of age, the self-taught Montreal-based designer has built a solid reputation based upon his penchant for stark minimalism, strong geometric shapes, razor sharp cuts and bondage detailing a la Raf Simmons.

Of his designs Hourani says, "They are asexual, aseasonal, they come from no place, no time no tradition, yet they could be home anywhere, any time. They exude a sense of discreet chic, the essence of timeless style, drawn on a monochromatic and graphical canvas...sophisticated modern classics for anti-conformist individuals."

Consisting of impeccably tailored jackets, tunics, vests and skinny rocker pants adorned with methodically cut-out details and rectangular strips of leather, Hourani's unisex collection evoked crew of sophisticated cyber-goth militants from the future. Forget color for spring: the darkness is taking over.