Luxurious Couture, Ready-to-Wear & Wedding Dresses | Tony Ward Couture

They say it takes a village to achieve success, and in this fashion house the village does not go unnoticed. Today, we are shedding light on our team’s core, the hands that bring the magic to life; we present to you our very own “petites mains”.  A little dive into the heads and work of the House’s mains.

Have you ever wondered; how do they make it happen? They never miss a beat. Every single time the pieces are delivered in no time and with the highest standards. When asked how they’re able to achieve it, the answer is simple and clear; “we have created for ourselves a very fine line of perfection that, no matter what, we never cross.” Even if it comes down to cancelling pieces at the very last second before the show starts, they do it. Quality over quantity at its finest.

What also helps in achieving this level of perfection is that the whole team is there. “We get to have different perspectives from everyone, which makes us look at the piece with more objectivity and try to perceive it from many different angles so that we can present it in the best light possible.” said Mostafa, the Chef d’Atelier.

What role does innovation play in the atelier’s day-to-day operations and design processes?

Even though they are – and stay - updated on the latest technologies of the industry, they don’t really rely on them. They quote unquote, think that “if there is no human touch, the pieces will lose their lives.” So, when it comes to sewing, they do it all by hand. Not that they completely crossed technology out, au contraire, they do rely on it in terms of craftmanship and design. If you look at the innovations of the brand, they do not lack creativity in any aspect; from upcycled dress and eco-friendly designs to ethereal and geometrical creations, they always make sure that the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of the public watching a Tony Ward fashion show are clearly heard to the backstage of the runway.

How do you balance traditional techniques from Elie Ward’s era with contemporary trends?

Elie Ward’s main distinctive trait was that he was always up for a challenge. He used to constantly dare himself and the pieces he worked on. The moulage and his needles’ work are the secret behind the house’s success. And his force d’esprit are the source of the team’s inspirational spirits. They are always ready to tackle whatever comes their way.

“It’s easy. We have a dream.” The pressure, stress and whatever little disagreements that might arise during the making of the pieces all vanish away when they hear the crowds’ applaud and witness the success of the collection. And even if for a fleeting moment, the ongoing wounds caused by the current circumstances happening in Lebanon are temporarily patched.

We’ve heard what Les petites mains had to say, but what about the “they don’t go unnoticed” part of it all. When asked about his team and how does he help them to go fishing into their creativity, Tony’s answer was straightforward : “It’s not creativity that they’re missing. It’s peace of mind.”

If you look back at it, this team has gone through a lot together. Besides all the challenges that any fashion house would face, you can also note a revolution, a massive explosion, and currently, an ongoing war.

“It’s not our first adventure together. We have done this for the past 30 years and we will do it again. We know how to push through. We stand by each other, while some of us have families that have been displaced or even lost someone. This is our reality.”

But regardless of it all, we are blessed to be still standing and alive. In his exact words: “We’re trying to remind people that there is a better tomorrow waiting for us.”