Lebanon is known as a fashion hub of the Middle East. Many Lebanese designers have made it to the world arena and have dressed many celebrities around the world.

Some of the most famous Lebanese fashion designers are Elie Saab, Zouhair Mrad, Rem Acra, George Hobeika, Basil Soda, Abed Mahfouz amongst others. All these success stories are an inspiration to many aspiring and rising new fashion designers. 
Here is some information on one of Lebanon's amazing fashion designer with great attention to small details and lovely bridal collections, Reem Acra.


Reem Acra is a fashion designer born in Beirut, Lebanon, known for her eponymous bridal gown line and her ready-to-wear collection. Acra came to fame in 1999 for her bridal gowns. As a designer, she's known for detail, new and modern concepts and distinctive tailoring. Her designs are frequently seen on red carpets around the world.

Bridal line
Acra started her company in 1997 as a bridal line, after designing a dress for a friend's wedding in three weeks, on a bet that if she could meet the deadline, her friend, would go through with the wedding, set in Paris at the Hôtel de Crillon. Acra took a photograph of the dress and distributed it to the media, including The New York Times, which published the photograph.

Soon after, she bought $20,000 in fabric with her American Express card, pitched designs to Saks Fifth Avenue and Kleinfeld, and received an order for thirty dresses. She then worked with 89-year-old Max Kane, who owned a factory on 39th Street in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen. Acra credits her early success with Kane's mentoring and support. After working with Kane, Acra expanded her business to additional factories and opened her own production centers.

Acra's bridal gowns have been featured on the covers of numerous bridal magazines, including The Knot, Brides, D Wedding, Modern Luxury Brides, Wedding Unveiled, and Town & Country Weddings.

She held her first fashion show in 1999, and with the introduction of her design collection, changed the bridal gown industry, creating a luxury brand niche that previously did not exist. She has held shows during New York Fashion Week each season thereafter.

Her atelier is located on West 35th Street in Manhattan.

Expansion
Her brand expanded to include evening-gowns in 2003.and a ready-to-wear collection in 2008. Her designs are carried in more than 150 retailers around the world.

THE POWER TO CREATE BEAUTY
Acra is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Bridal Council of America, the International Advisory Council of the American University of Beirut, on the Honorary Board of the American Foundation for Saint George Hospital and serves on the Board of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council. Additionally, she has been one of the lead sponsors for the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Cup Dressage series since 2010. Some of her notable accolades include being named the 7th Most Powerful Arab Woman in the World by Forbes Magazine and being the recipient of the Building Bridges Award from the Bridges of Understanding foundation, a non-profit organization which seeks to improve relations between the Middle East and the United States.

Recently, Acra appeared on the hit Middle Eastern reality TV show, Fashion Star, where she served as the lead judge and mentor to 12 aspiring up-and-coming designers.