A Love Letter to Earth from Georges and Jad Hobeika

With the Musee d’Art Moderne set as the backdrop for Maison Georges Hobeika’s Autumn-Winter 2022-23 collection, the show, under the co-creative direction of Hobeika’s son, Jad Hobeika, was a nod to a modern, new beginning. The collection, titled “Eternal Gifts”, was a love letter to Earth and humanity — for couture is fashion’s gateway to dreams, and the show was indeed a dazzling fantasy.

From the opening look, a pristine, white mini-dress adorned by feathered wings, transforming the model into a walking new-age goddess, to the crystallized tulle bodysuit and sheer pearl-beaded cropped top, each piece was executed by the Maison’s seamstresses in the heart of their Beirut-based atelier.

Mediterranean blues, sunset tones of peachy orange, yellow, fuchsia and pink — the color palette this season captured the wonders of the natural world, from waterfalls to waves and the blazing sun. As each model moved down the runway, one couldn’t help but notice the evolution of silhouettes, best thought of as a blossoming flower as it begins to bloom, perhaps a metaphor for the Maison’s new chapter under the shared leadership of Jad Hobeika. The feathered wings set the tone for the collection, and its message of peace, tolerance and the acceptance of one another, irrespective of our differences, has not gone unnoticed.

Nature is miraculous

From the sculptural formations of stones, to the intricate crystal appliqués which dominated the collection — indeed, carefully executed crystallized dresses have become Hobeika’s signature — the collection showed that nature is miraculous and can exude a sense of mystery and drama.

The Maison’s orchid emblem, which has made several appearances through their ready-to-wear collections, resurfaced this couture season through elongated crystal earrings, which perfectly matched the mood of every look.

Complementing the Georges Hobeika woman, is the Georges Hobeika man, a mysterious and unique individual, who isn’t afraid to go all out. The Maison’s man loves a dramatic cape, and isn’t shy when it comes to rocking crystallized pieces. Why should he be? For, this collection’s message, at its core, is heightened by ideas of acceptance and liberty.

The father-son duo’s debut partnership marks a new chapter for the storied Maison, and it’s one to watch. Ahead of the show, George Hobeika expressed his admiration for his son, stating, “Jad was born in this universe and over the years, I gave him more and more space to create, because I trust his ideas and hard work. [….] He brings something very youthful and modern to the brand.” The brand’s energetic and contemporary evolution was evident, and the Georges Hobeika woman is certainly “valiantly navigating a new world taking shape in front of our eyes” as Hobeika says.