Images Courtesy of Shourouk
Shourouk Rhaiem studied fashion at Studio Berçot and later honed her skills working at fashion houses like Chloé, Galliano and Cavalli. Following a tryst with fashion, she realized jewelry could be an ideal medium for her artistic expressions. Shourouk then launched her namesake fashion jewelry label in 2008. “Tunisian women wear razzle-dazzle jewelry and outfits, especially for important occasions. And this inspired my designs. I think that’s why I create statement pieces, because I like them to look chunky and shiny. Besides, there’s lots of detailing even in the embroidery to make them precious and elegant,” she says. Her bright and bold handmade pieces, often feature embroidery and Swarovski crystals accents alongside varied materials like PVC. “I love the contrast between matte and shiny. This makes my designs a lot more interesting and unique.” It comes as no surprise, that her fashion pieces in eye-catching colors have regularly made their way into shows like Glee, Gossip Girl, while garnering a celeb following.
Shourouk’s SS17 line draws upon Indian culture, Bollywood movies and colorful outfits. Whether it was the Maharaja’s palace or the shantytowns, the Parisian designer found inspiration just around the corner. “India has a kitsch culture combined with a rich history; an inexhaustible source of inspiration for a designer,” she observes.
For her latest FW17 collection, Shourouk collaborated with Lido Paris and launched, for the first time, a range of precious sweatshirts and t-shirts embroidered with Swarovski crystals. Inspired by the iconic Cabaret show in Champs-Élysées, the strass, the sequins and the plumes, Shourouk’s earrings evoke the beauty and glamor of the stunning feathery headgear worn by the dancers. “I’m so excited about this collaboration, as I always love to do something different that will surprise my clients.” With the cheerful Lido collection in a cascade of bling, Shourouk has added a sparkly feather in her cap.
Website: www.shourouk.com
Smitha Sadanandan
