Jennifer Cooper/E!Fashion designer Reem Acra is the definition of a go-getter.
Really though, how many people can say that they got a job right out of school as a head designer? We're guessing not many. The designer's go get 'em attitude and early start are just two of the reasons that her namesake brand has become a red carpet staple. From Halle Berry to Olivia Wilde (and many more), stars can't seem to get enough of the dreamy brand. To learn more about Reem and her couture empire, keep reading!
What was your first job?
I was very driven and secured my first job the next day after graduation as a head designer. I asked for a high salary in comparison to my classmates and received the offer immediately. A week later, I was offered double my salary. It is hard to believe but it's true.
How did you get into the fashion industry?
Fashion has always been a part of my life. Growing up in Lebanon, my mother took me to the souks where I learned about different textures and fabrics. I had a live-in seamstress who helped me realize the designs I created. From a very young age, fashion, embroidery and tailoring were embedded in my DNA.
What is a typical day like for you?
There is no typical day. Every day is different than the next. I start by drinking coffee in bed and then I head to work. The day typically starts with meetings or international calls and ends with me in the design room. I tend to start early and stay late.
Tell us about your office décor.
I designed the Reem Acra showroom to feel like a French atelier. My vision for the space was for women to come and feel the most personal and intimate experience when choosing their wedding gown or evening wear. However, my best office is the one at my house, which I custom designed. It has tree sculptures to hang my designs, a desk with fabric embedded in a Lucite table and a large wall with my first ad campaign printed on it.
What's the best part about your job?
The best part of my job is empowering women by giving them confidence.
What's the most daring career risk you've ever taken?
I take risks every day. Perhaps starting my own company with zero dollars in my pocket is the most daring thing one can do.
Who are some of your career heroes?
All women who make a difference. Coco Chanel, Madame Lanvin and Madame Gres, these are the women I look up to in my career.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
My father always told me, "There is no elevator to success."
Why is fashion worth splurging on?
Every woman deserves to feel beautiful and have a personal moment. After all, what else do we need?
What do you think your brand does really well?
Make us dream.
Tell us about your most memorable red carpet moment.
It is always the first one that sticks out in my mind: Halle Berry at the Golden Globes some 10 years ago wearing a pale-blue taffeta dress. The dress was originally white but she wanted it to be blue. So, the day before the Globes, we dyed the dress and sent it to her team. She looked absolutely stunning.
Today for lunch I had…a bowl of fresh fruit.
The first website I log onto every day is…CNN.com.
My usual coffee order is… cappuccino: 1 shot, skim milk, small.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would…be an interior or product designer.
My favorite place to visit is…Lebanon and Turkey.
List five things that are on your desk right now…iPhone, a MacBook, Coffee, Sharpies and Lucite Boxes.
The book I'm reading right now is…I'm an avid reader of magazines. Current editions on my desk include Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, InStyle, People and Departures.