Accurate and bold...secrets you may not know about Haifa Wehbe’s relationship with fashion

Photos of the Lebanese artist Haifa Wehbe at the Dolce & Gabbana show at Fashion Week in the Italian city of Milan, last September, documented the presence of the Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad at her side, in reference to the cooperation that unites them in choosing her looks. Between Wehbe's meticulous follow-up of fashion trends and her boldness in adopting unconventional choices, and Haddad's experience in translating these trends into looks that suit her style, their professional relationship is based on trust and understanding each other's choices.

In an interview with the Arabic website Ofoq News, Haddad talks about the Lebanese artist’s personality behind the scenes, her way of choosing her clothes, and the standards that govern their cooperation. Haddad goes back to the beginning of this cooperation, considering that its timing was appropriate for both parties, as they were united by a degree of professional maturity that enabled them to understand the nature of the work and each other’s expectations.

Trust, according to his description, was present from the first moment, which established a relationship based on communication and clarity, without the need to explain every detail every time. What distinguishes Wehbe is her constant follow-up of fashion shows and fashion weeks, in addition to her knowledge of what suits her and what she wants to wear, as she personally follows what is happening in the world of fashion, and has a clear vision of the options she prefers.

This knowledge, according to Haddad, facilitates his task as a fashion coordinator, as he deals with an artist who is familiar with new trends and has knowledge of what she wants to wear. The Lebanese artist's figure gives her ample space to experiment with different cuts and trends, while her personality is characterized by boldness and a willingness to be adventurous in her choices, within limits that maintain her own style.

It is interesting to him that some of the pieces that return to the forefront in fashion seasons have been in her closet for years, before their trends turned into popular trends. As for the look that she appears in front of the public, it is the result of a long preparation process, which begins with researching and experimenting with different options, all the way to choosing the pieces and details that suit the occasion and reflect her personality.

Haddad describes this stage as requiring time and effort before reaching the final result. In this context, Haddad recalls Wehbe’s look at the “Dolce & Gabbana” show, for which he chose transparent lace, and he wanted to use this material because of the balance it carries between sophistication, femininity, and boldness.

The look caught attention before the transparent lace trend spread widely in the looks of the stars later. Accuracy in details goes beyond choosing clothes. Behind these looks, there is a personality that does not overlook small details. Haddad describes the Lebanese artist as very precise in her observations, to the point that she carefully chooses the color of socks and the extent of their compatibility with the rest of the clothes. She also pays special attention to jewelry in terms of its colors, designs, and sizes.

Wehbe's participation is not limited to expressing his opinion on the options presented; She sometimes makes sure to bring more than one suggested look to photo shoots, which opens the way for discussing options and trying out different perceptions before adopting the final look. In addition to this, she is serious about her work and her appreciation for her team, according to Haddad, which are among the factors that make cooperation with her smoother.

On a personal level, Haddad views his current experience as the result of years of work and attempts, including the mistakes he learned from and developed his outlook on fashion coordination. Perhaps he would have been able to do good work with Wehbe if he had started cooperating with her at an early stage in his career, thanks to the passion that accompanied him from the beginning, but the experience he gained over time made his self-confidence and choices greater, and strengthened the strength of the professional relationship between them.