MOJEH caught up with regional designer Romy Hourani as she shares the inspiration behind her autumn/winter collection and her style tips for the month ahead.
Interviewed by Sophie Pasztor
Romy is photographed by Ziga from The Factory ME wearing Romy Collection Ambra corset, Marta pants, Enrica coat, Céline heels and vintage earrings
Who are your style icons?
My style icons would have to be Christine Centenera and Kate Moss. I have to pick these two because I feel my style is a blend of the two. I love Kate’s laid back looks with her use of unexpected luxury pieces and I love how Christine is always head-to-toe on point.
How would you define your style?
Romy Collection is an expression of my own personal style. I love clothes that are classy and sophisticated, never over the top, but always feminine. And I always wear heels!
Song on repeat?
I’m loving the Maroon 5 song called What Lovers Do featuring SZA. It’s so cute and romantic.
Who is the Romy woman?
The Romy woman is literally every woman. I have younger customers and older customers and they all accessorise and style the items differently and it works!
What is your design signature?
My design signature is how feminine the clothes are, how when you try on a piece from my collection you literally fall in love. It’s also versatility, as many of the pieces can be styled in different ways.
What was the inspiration behind your autumn/winter collection?
My inspiration came from my grandfather. He was a Swedish actor who played with Greta Garbo in one of her first movies. My father gave me all his silent movies from the 1920s in these leather-bound books. The women and men in the images inspired me to make this collection.
What are some of your favourite pieces from your collection?
The Mariana dress has been a huge favourite. What I love about it is that you can wear with leggings and heels for a night out as I’ve styled it in our lookbook. Or worn during the day with jeans and a bodysuit – I would still wear it with heels during the day! I also love the Sophia jacket dress, which can be worn closed up with heels to dinner and during the day, worn as a jacket over jeans or a pair of trousers and a tee.
Romy wears Romy Collection Mariana dress and vintage necklace
Trend to covet for autumn/winter?
My favourite trends for autumn would have to be red, chequered prints and, of course, florals.
Go-to accessories?
I love a statement jewellery piece. Whether it be vintage or current – the bigger the better. But only one at a time. I would do a big earring or a big ring or necklace, but never together.
Signature beauty look?
I love a smokey eye. Even for daytime, I always do a little eyeliner and smudge it for a daytime look. If I feel I need a little more colour one day I will always go for
either a bright red or deep burgundy lip. Those are my go-to’s. I feel they’re classics. Classics always work.
What do you like most about the Middle Eastern fashion scene?
I love how fashion and beauty is big here. I love how the women dress and are always put together. It’s inspiring and so important. As women, we should really love ourselves and take care of ourselves.
Looking back, what would you say has been your biggest fashion moment?
My biggest fashion moment personally was when I had dinner with Russell Simmons several years ago in New York at Mr. Chow’s. There was a group of us and he left his seat and came to sit next to me to inquire about my outfit and accessories. Romy Collection’s biggest moment was most definitely when Karen Wazen Bakhazi wore the Whitney shirt dress in the striped print to the Saint Laurent fashion show at Paris Fashion Week this past September. She looked gorgeous!
What’s next for you?
I am currently working on my spring/summer18 collection. I can’t wait to share it!
