“Putting a smile on a woman’s face and giving her confidence through fashion… those moments are beautiful”
— Basil Soda
On Monday, the fashion world was devastated after the loss of Lebanese fashion designer, Basil Soda. Known for couture dresses that exude feminine power and beauty, his notable work on the fashion scene brought his rise to fame with impeccable architecturally-inspired collections.
Family and friends bid their final farewell to Soda, a man known for his sincere work ethic and admirable personality. Passing away at the young age of 47, his two-year battle with cancer ended on March 30th, leaving the world with the memories and concoctions of a beloved entrepreneur.
Born on July 1st, 1968, he was brought up in the fashion business, with his father owning a tailoring business specialized in men’s suits. As a teenager, his father had to leave his tailoring factory and the fashion business, yet Basil Soda continued to spend his leisure time working with fabrics and ideas to create unusual combinations. After two years in architectural studies, Soda dove into the fashion scene, enrolling in and graduating from the College Artistique de la Mode Moderne (CAMM), the first fashion school in the Middle East. He built on his experiences in the Gulf, by immersing himself in the art of embroidery and couture fashion, before moving back to Beirut and working with Elie Saab for four years.
After 20 years in fashion, Basil Soda launched his eponymous couture label in 2000, releasing his ready-to-wear line in 2010. His pieces adorned the bodies of international celebrities, with beauties like Nancy Ajram, Paula Patton, Emily Blunt, and Yara flaunting his imperial creations. History, architecture, museums, and travel served as the root of his inspiration, resulting with collections that appreciate the art of design and bring portraiture to life.
The House of Basil Soda will forever carry the legacy and success of a fashion designer who took part in aggrandizing the Seventh Avenue fashion on the beautiful streets of Beirut and bringing them to the steps of international stardom.
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Sources: AlArabiya Style, Murooj,Fustany,Famous Fix,Terra, Ella
