My Style: Razan Alazzouni
Portrait: Courtesy of Razan Alazzouni
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
I haven't met her, but I hope to, one day. I think Giovanna Battaglia is the most stylish person I have ever seen. Everything she wears, I feel, reflects her personality. Even though she wears different cuts and is never afraid of a pattern, she is always unbelievably elegant and confident in her clothes. She also take chances with new designers and has an amazing eye for accessories.
Please describe your style in three words.
Whimsical, romantic, feminine.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
To over-accessorise, or wear accessories that do not match your outfit.
Do you believe in role models?
Yes I do.
What are your favourite fabrics?
French lace, silk organza, silk velvet.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
I don't like it when you mix the grungy look with the romantic.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
Paris.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I think I am conservative with a touch of boldness. I love to mix different textures in my outfits.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
To let my clothes do the talking. I never over-accessorise.
Celebrities and style...
Define the latest trends.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
The perfect tailored pants.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My mother taught me all I know about style.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I select my clothing in the morning, based on my mood and the weather.
What is your biggest regret?
Is not stopping my mother when she got rid of her 80's wardrobe.
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
Not all fashion trends suit every body type. If you are not comfortable in your clothes you shouldn't be wearing them. You should develop your own personal style and never imitate.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
If I fall in love with something, I buy it. I love shopping alone, because that way no one influences what I buy.
We will never see you wearing...
Crocs.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Rabih Kayrouz. He uses amazing fabrics and has amazing cuts. All his garments are manufactured to embody the highest form of quality.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her posture. If a woman carries herself properly, and with grace, confidence and elegance, she can get away with wearing anything.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A vintage Dior fur coat I bought from a vintage fair in New York. It's a piece that is so loud you would think it is un-wearable, It's a knee-length white fox fur coat made to look like it's ermine. It’s very ghetto fabulous, and always puts me in a good mood. My collection of leather gloves. Every time I am in Italy, I make sure I drop by one of those tiny leather glove stores you find on almost every corner. I even send my friends when I'm not able to go myself! I have almost every colour imaginable and every length/style I could find. I wait for the winter to come just to wear a beautiful leather glove. A black hand-painted gown from my grandmother's trousseau. It was custom-made for her in France and dates back to 1947. It was one of the few pieces she was able to bring with her when she left her home in Jafa, Palestine, when the war started the following year. A black and white tweed Chanel jacket that I swiped from my mother's closet. It’s from the Fall 1996 season, and has the most subtle clear sequins embellishment all over. It's the perfect day-to-night piece.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Christian Dior. They have established their own style and no matter what the trends are for the season, you can tell that a Dior piece is Dior without checking the label.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
Her pants. It’s very hard to find the perfect pair of pants with a cut that suits your figure. But, when you do, you know you've struck gold.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
No, you can be extremely stylish wearing something unbelievably comfortable.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Rabih Kayrouz!
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Create your own style, and show it to the world!
