Celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad: This is the star that launched me

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - In a world where fashion intersects with personality, the role of the fashion coordinator emerges as an essential element in crafting the image in which stars appear before the public, as fashion turns into a language that expresses the true identity of the wearer. Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad believes, in an interview with the Ofoq News website in Arabic, that an elegant woman is the one who knows how to choose everything that suits her and expresses her identity, and she is the one who shows the world her personality through fashion, whether through clothes, hair, or makeup.

The following is an interview conducted by the Ofoq News website in Arabic with the Lebanese fashion coordinator about his career in fashion styling, the challenges and opportunities of the profession, and his relationship with the most famous stars. If you were asked to give 5 basic tips for every woman looking for elegance, what would they be?

Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: Consult an expert or specialist in fashion, because he is the only one capable of determining a woman’s personality in this field. Firstly, many women think that they are classic, for example, but the reality may be different.

Secondly, do not follow trends blindly, but rather know how to apply them in accordance with your body shape, skin color, and eyes. Third, choosing the appropriate colors, because the color may spoil the look if it is not appropriate, in addition to choosing cuts that suit the body.

Fourth, pay attention to the details that complete the look, such as personal hygiene and nails, as every small detail makes a difference. Fifth, highlighting the individual personality through appearance, as this is the key to distinction.

What are the most prominent trends that caught your attention this season? Do you deal with it with caution or do you adopt it in your choices?

Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: One of the trends that caught my attention this season is pastel colors, especially butter yellow. It is a very beautiful color, but it must be used with caution because it suits dark skin more than light skin, as it may make the look dull. So I choose what is popular, provided that it suits the woman I am dealing with.

Is there a particular piece or style that you absolutely refuse to use when styling your looks? Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: I do not reject a specific piece, as every body shape dictates its own cuts.

My style embraces a complete look, with one eye-catching element. I always follow the principle of “less is more” to avoid exaggeration, as beauty lies in simplicity.

The less we mix trends, the more beautiful the piece becomes. Has your vision of fashion changed between the beginning and today?

How have your tools for selecting looks evolved over time? Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: I definitely changed and developed through the mistakes I made.

I used to think that a certain fabric suits everyone, only to discover that it only suits thin women, or that a certain color is beautiful but not suitable for a TV camera. Some cuts are suitable for magazine shoots, but they are not suitable for the stage.

Over time, I learned how to choose the right look for the person and the event. In a world where trends are accelerating and looks are repeated, have you ever fallen into the trap of repetition?

How do you ensure to maintain the element of innovation and distinction in every appearance? Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: I am always in a constant challenge, especially since I deal with more than eighty stars.

In order to show each one of them with elegance and distinction, I search and work a lot to choose new and dynamic looks that the audience will remember, without falling into the trap of repetition. When you are working on a look for an international event such as the Cannes Film Festival or the Oscars, are the standards different?

What kind of pressures and challenges do you face compared to local events? Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: Standards differ, because the eye on the look is wider and the spread is greater.

So we double the effort and start preparations long in advance. We conduct several measuring sessions, study the history of the star’s previous looks to avoid repetition, and focus on all angles in photography to choose the most beautiful look from all aspects.

What is the real message behind your work? Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: My message stems from my deep belief in the beauty and uniqueness of Arab women, and my desire for the world to see them as I see them: strong, influential, and inspiring.

Through my work, I seek to highlight Arab stars and put them on the global fashion map alongside their foreign star counterparts. From the beginning, my goal was to build a real bridge between Arab women and international brands, so that they not only play the role of recipients, but rather become partners in shaping the public image and taste trends.

I am convinced that the image of the Arab star is no less important or influential than any international star. Today we see this actually being achieved, as our Arab stars are invited to the most important fashion shows, sit in the front rows, become advertising faces, and ambassadors for the most prominent brands.

This success is what drives me to continue and gives my work real meaning. In a time when the profession of fashion styling has become more widespread in the Arab world, what is the most important advice you would give to the new generation of stylists?

Lebanese stylist Cedric Haddad: I love to see new stylists. Some people may think that it is an easy profession, but in reality it is difficult and requires 24-hour work.

So my advice: endure constant pressure, because not everyone is able to do that. Opportunities must also be seized, as time will reveal whether this profession is their true passion.

To what extent does the personality of the star or star play an essential role in your choice of look? Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: I always study the personality of the star, and I liken myself to a psychiatrist for these people.

I ask them specific questions to find out what they like and what they're comfortable with, so I can get into their personality and show it in a way they like, even if they find it strange at first. How do you describe the relationship between you and the stars you work with?

Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: The relationship is built on trust and respect, which are two essential factors. I have been working with them for many years, because this relationship is built on successes and unforgettable views, no matter how much time passes.

What's a look or style you can never forget? Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: There is more than one look, but the most prominent is the one that she designed with the creative director and designer of the Versace fashion house, Donatella Versace, for the Emirati artist Balqis Fathi during the Red Sea Film Festival about three years ago.

We worked on the look that achieved global success, and was chosen among the 4 most beautiful looks in the world in 2023, for six months. You started with the Lebanese journalist Hilda Khalife, and this professional relationship continues to this day.

What distinguishes your cooperation compared to your other experiences? Lebanese stylist Cedric Haddad: Hilda was called My lucky charm.

She was the one who opened doors for me, which is why my relationship with her is so different. I feel like she is my sister and my family, and I am very grateful to her. Without her, I would not have been able to establish my name.

In your rich career, you must have dealt with different personalities. Which star or star do you consider to have the smoothest collaboration?

Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: I choose Balqis Fathi. There is great chemistry between us, and this is what has made us achieve many successes together.

She's a character I call "Chameleon" because she can pull off a futuristic look one day, and a classic look the next. If you could choose one star or stars to coordinate their looks one day, whether from the Arab or international world, who would you choose?

Lebanese fashion stylist Cedric Haddad: I choose Zendaya because she is a fashion icon. She proves that she can be an inspiration no matter what she wears, and represents beauty in her fashion, hair, and makeup.

She knew how to play this role, which is why all brands love her.