Synonymous with modern, trendy & fashion-forward womens wear with a French touch in Beirut, dépêchemode has been the go-to multi-brand store for a generation of women, since its first boutique opened in 1997.
Named after the iconic band, the dépêchemode brand is celebrating a passionate, dynamic, vibrant, rebellious & youthful 20 years this 2017, striking a cord as 'the sound of a generation'.
"It took me 20 years to get to where I am now, and I enjoyed taking my time."
For founder & owner, Hania Mroue Yafawi, it's been one hell of a ride, and this 20th anniversary is just the beginning!
As a driving force on the Lebanese fashion retail scene, as well as a tireless & pioneering brand hunter, Hania has launched some of the most sought after Parisian, international & even local brands onto the consumer radar through dépêche mode, and has been setting style trends for Beirut's hip & fashionable women ever since.
Starting with just one store in Verdun, Hania knew she needed to be aggressive on the Lebanese market, stating that "as a woman entrepreneur in this business, and especially in this part of the world, when you show 'weakness' you're out of the game." And so, dépêchemode quickly grew into a chain of 4 stores, adding an urban culture concept store called 6:05 to the group's portfolio.
A special 20th Anniversary Capsule Collection.
For the occasion, Hania chose to collaborate with four of Beirut's most talented,
renowned & pioneering designers, to create an exclusive & limited edition anniversary capsule collection*.
Based on the mood & feel of Fall/Winter'17-18's major trends, as well as on their individual styles & affinities, RABIH KAYROUZ, SANDRA MANSOUR, KAROLINE LANG&SELIM MOUZANNAR were invited to create high-fashion pieces, for the depechemode woman, that would resonate with 'THE SOUND OF A GENERATION'.
For this collab. with dépêchemode, RabihKayrouz applied his clean lines & delicate aesthetic to create a series of hand embroidered 'Abayas' in Red/Black cotton poplin.
Sandra Mansour takes her inspiration from 80's shoulder pads, puffed-up styles, the Culture Club, and of course, Blondie, to design a 3-piece capsule collection featuring a wool dress, brocade jacket & poplin shirt.
For Karoline Lang, who based herself on David Bowie's 80's extravagance, it was about going out of her comfort zone, while maintaining her signature style, to create a 5-piece capsule collection that features a fuchsia dress, voluminous bronze tulle skirt, a shimmer-piping, velvet & jersey t-shirt, a pleated leather corset dress, and a short padded velvet navy/black dress.
And last but not least, Selim Mouzannar utilized his unique expertise & unparalleled eye for creating an exclusive pair of star-shaped earrings, that are gold plated silver & set with Rhodolites.
And when asked why they decided to collaborate with dépêchemode on their 20th anniversary capsule collection, here's what they had to say:
"Designing exclusive pieces for dépêchemode, a long-standing Lebanese boutique that I relate to, allowed me & my brand to experiment in an arena I hadn't ventured into before." - Sandra Mansour
"I jumped at the occasion of collaborating with dépêchemodebecause, to me, it is a brand that has a beautiful story and that resonates with 'success story' on the Lebanese market & in the Middle East. Unlike most, behind this boutique there's a driven woman & a talented team, who have managed to impose a style, an image, and an identity that come together to create a strong brand." - Karine Tawil (Karoline Lang)
"Dépêchemode is a dynamic platform in perpetual motion, and I believe new energies can only come through collaboration." - Selim Mouzannar
A party to celebrate its 20th Anniversary!
On November 18th 2017, Hania Yafawi & dépêchemode will be hosting an anniversary party at La Magnanerie Beirut, where Beirut's who's-who of the fashion landscape, as well as friends &loyals of dépêchemode, will be treated to an eventful evening, night & beyond!
The event will feature an electrifying live act, signature dépêchemode cocktails, a mesmerizing visual VJ show, and will also play stage to the unveiling of the special anniversary capsule collection.
For a more in-depth look into the dépêchemode story, as well as a more detailed account of the Special 20th Anniversary Capsule Collection, we invite you to check out dépêchemode's F/W'17-18 magazine, which will first be distributed at the event on November 18th.
And if you're on the mailing list, you may receive a copy during the following week, otherwise they'll be available to pick-up in all dépêchemode& 6:05 stores across Lebanon.
*The pieces from the special capsule collection will be revealed for the first time on November 18th 2017, during the 20th Anniversary party at La Magnanerie Beirut, and will be available exclusively at dépêchemodestores, starting November 20th, in limited quantities & for a limited time only.
