“I think that [in the future], every fashion item will come with its own NFT that will document the journey of the item; having transparency on the authenticity of pieces will boost their value.”– Rami Kadi, Couturier, Rami Kadi Maison de Couture
With the global market for NFTs surpassing $41 billion in 2021, digital collectibles are becoming the most sought-after “it” items in the fashion industry. Rohma Theunissen caught up with Rami Kadi, the pioneering Beirut-based couturier who is set to become the first Middle Eastern designer to create and sell an NFT collection. In this exclusive interview Rami reveals the algorithmic design process behind his SS22 couture collection, how and why he created his first-ever NFT collection, the potential of blockchain technology and why dressing people the metaverse is the next frontier of fashion.
NOTE: This episode was recorded virtually as Rohma was in Dubai and Rami was in Beirut – so there are a few glitches in sound but we think that makes the conversation even more authentic!
About Rami Kadi
A Lebanese-American fashion designer and creative mind, Rami Kadi is rapidly gaining international recognition. At the early age of 25, in May 2011, Rami started paving his professional designer career, with the launch of his own showroom and opening of his first atelier in the heart of Beirut. A place for him to present his Couture creations and to craft unique pieces attracting a wide range of international clientele including royalty.
With a solid commitment and incredible aspiration, it was only natural that, in 2014, he started showcasing his collections in the capital of luxury and glamour, Paris, during the city’s official fashion weeks. While maintaining extraordinary craftsmanship, he held his debut Fashion Show during Paris fashion week in January 2019. Along the same vein, Rami Kadi pioneered the environmentally-conscious fashion cyber-show in 2020, which was the first in the Middle East and that served as an expression of keeping abreast with technological advances and the idea of universal connectivity that these advances enable. This show reflected Kadi’s mission to reduce the overall carbon footprint that fashion contributes to.
Recognized for his strong commitment to environmental causes within the field of sustainable fashion, Rami Kadi was designated the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Fashion in West Asia as of September 2020.
Rami Kadi owns and manages his couture house from Beirut, Lebanon, designing evening and bridal couture dresses and operating his label worldwide. Today, his glamorous impact appeals to celebrities on the red carpet and international press, evidently portrayed by taking over the 72nd & 74th editions of the Cannes Film Festival, in addition to the 76th, 77th, & 78th editions of the Venice Film Festival, and becoming the name to wear for internationally recognized stars on the red carpets as claimed by prestigious world-known press organizations.
Rami Kadi is a contemporary Couturier passionate about modern tailoring. He stands out with his distinctive creations and nouvelle couture, as he includes technology and innovation in his work. He leaves a unique mark in his masterpieces, offering a kaleidoscopic explosion of colors and sparkles, high finish, and definite impact. Being hip and young, he embraces embroidery as the essence of his creations. Through his collections, he pays tribute to “hand-made” work, the art he is particularly fond of. His masterpieces were worthy of global press recognition as Kadi was mentioned in the top leading international fashion and style magazines.