BEIRUT: Precocious teen fashion duo Yasmeen and Leen debuted at the Beirut Souks over the weekend their first collection, which was full of bold color and youthful energy. “We like bright colors, they make your eyes pop.
Some colors can make you react and feel different things. Black colors can make you feel like you want to die. But these colors make you want to dance around,” explained the 13-year-old Leen Harazallah, alongside her cousin and partner-in-fashion Yasmeen Nahas.
Bright indeed was Yasmeen and Leen’s first fashion show. The presentation included 18 different outfits, worn by models who were friends and close in age to the two designers. The parade of looks included neon orange or yellow mesh tees with funky images, such as skulls – wearing bows or wings – and altered smiley faces with hearts for eyes. Sparkly gold and hot pink dresses also made their way down the catwalk. Most models walked the runway barefoot, wearing matching fabric anklets and headbands – popular accessories, very much in current style among teens and young women alike.
The cousins, avid sewers and aspiring fashionistas, learned about fashion design from their mothers – both of whom used to design clothes. As young girls, Yasmeen and Leen helped their moms make everything from kid’s clothes to evening outfits – and even got the chance to make their own clothes for special occasions.
“We used to make our own clothes when we got to go to parties. And when we went to weddings we’d make our dresses,” said 12-year-old (or 12-and-a-half, as she insists) Yasmeen. The idea for a fashion line was born out of the fun they had making their own clothes.
In one word, Leen described the attitude of their first collection as “cheeky.”
“We don’t care what you think about us. We’re going to dance around the streets. We’re being rebels but in a cute way,” she continued.
But rather than promoting teen rebellion, the idea behind the collection is to inspire confidence in the girls that wear their clothes, Leen added. Entering into the teenage years can be stressful, she said, especially as girls start to face new pressures about their appearance.
“The point of this fashion show is to show people how to be confident, because a lot of people that we know – sometimes even us – get bullied and get teased. At school people will call you fat or short and they make fun of what you wear and say things like, ‘oh that girl does not look rich at all because of what she’s wearing.’ So these clothes are just meant to make you feel good, to boost up your confidence and self esteem,” said Leen, twirling around in her playful tulle, cream-colored skirt.
The rest of the collection, which includes more than 50 items, is available for purchase through the mishmaoul.com pop up shop at the Beirut Souks. Yasmeen and Leen will also show the collection at more fashion shows, including one Saturday at Zaitunay Bay.
Both girls laughed when asked if people underestimate them because of their age.
“We both are people who are underestimated by other people at school. This isn’t only about wanting to be fashion designers, it’s also to prove them wrong and show what we can do,” said Leen.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily Star on May 29, 2012, on page 2.
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