Mimi Raad, fashion takes its cue

When you have an appointment with Mimi Raad, it's impossible to arrive on time. We spend even more time in front of the ice cream than in the traffic jams of Dubai. With Mimi, a real fashion reference in the Middle East and star of MBC TV, missteps in trends, colors and assortments are prohibited. The details are not incidental. They are essential. So we try, we try again. And we do not ask our mirror if we are the most beautiful but if Mimi will give us a compliment. And as we are attentive to her advice which is worth gold – even in France she is very listened to, in particular by the saleswomen of many shops -, we can estimate that we have successfully passed the Mimi Raad eye test. The image and style consultant for MBC Group presenters agreed to answer our questions. With kindness, elegance and with a real taste for words.

How would you describe your youth?

Happy! I had the chance to grow up in a pretty lush pine village in Lebanon. I had a carefree childhood. I was surrounded by love despite the Lebanese war and its horrors.

What profession did you dream of going into when you were a child?

I dreamed of being an astronaut, then a designer! But the first was a crazy childhood dream, the second was not perceived as a real job at the time… My parents encouraged me to study pharmacy because I was a studious student, with an aptitude for scientific subjects. I stopped after two years. I loved writing and adventure. I realized I wanted to be a journalist. I changed my focus! 

What was your parents' business?

My father was a construction contractor, and my mother was a housewife.

Were you a young girl who paid attention to her appearance? Brand awareness?

My mother taught me from a very young age how to take care of my clothes. She chose clothes that delighted everyone around me. The brands didn’t matter, but the colours, the cut, the style were essential. She sensitized me to details. I received many compliments, but my parents kept telling me that my “cute look” alone would not make me an accomplished woman.

How did your passion for fashion come about?

I always went with my mother when she chose her dresses from the seamstress. Her fitting sessions nurtured this interest. I watched them deciding textures, colours and cuts. I liked drawing a lot before I even took drawing classes. As a teenager, I made sketches of clothes. And I asked my mom to make them for me, to be different. Since my very young days, I’ve had a different style from my girlfriends that I had developed by avidly pouring over French fashion magazines.

Can you summarize your professional background?

I started in the print media. Then I made television appearances in several programs. I’ve done TV production, written for a lot of journalistic platforms. I ran a youth television channel, whose aesthetics caught the eye of other channels. And this is where I came up with the idea of using my experiences in journalism, Presenting and production to create an “image department” for television channels. I recruit, train and manage a team of stylists, makeup artists and hairdressers to give the Presenters a makeover before they go on air. With my teams I also work on television programs, photo shoots and television series.

How would you define your profession?

I try to highlight the beauty and assets of every woman or man when I give them a makeover. I also try to give them confidence. But it’s not easy. Because I am touching their image, their comfort zone and their ego! Especially when it comes to personalities who broadcast on television! Their personal image may not correspond at all to the image that I’m concocting for them (depending on the needs of the program or series). My job requires not only a deep understanding of fashion, style, silhouettes, colours and general culture, but also a good dose of psychology.

How do you judge fashion from the Arab world and the Middle East?

We have many talents as designers and stylists but I deplore the looks of our stars on the red carpet. They go over-the-top with clothes and plastic surgery!

Has the Covid pandemic changed the relationship between fashion, materials and colours?

Certainly! We are more tempted to dress comfortably. Even if we have left our sweatsuits, we opt for clothes that put us at ease. Personally, I don’t wear my heels as much as I used to, without denigrating my style of course!

Is elegance a luxury? Or can one be elegant on a moderate budget?

Luxury has nothing to do with elegance. Elegance comes from the inside. Elegance is our approach to life and we also translate it into our look. We can dress in second-hand clothes but have an elegant style. It’s how we carry ourselves that gives us that je-ne-sais-quoi.

What do you look at first when styling a woman or a man?

In a man his eyes, fingers and shoes. In a woman her figure, gait and accessories.

Can you cite three fashion faux pas to avoid?

Les règles sont faites pour être brisées! Avoir du style permet à la personne de manipuler les modes comme bon lui semble pour faire mieux émerger sa personnalité. Mais il y a certains détails que personnellement je ne tolère pas: porter un top en lycra sous un blazer, porter des chaussures qui tranchent avec la couleur du  pantalon. Je n’aime pas non plus quand les habits dévoilent les sous-vêtements.

What are your favourite places in Paris and Dubai?

In Paris I can’t get enough of the sidewalk cafes in Saint-Germain or the Marais… In Dubai, I spend my weekends at the beach whether it rains, is windy or goes up to 50 degrees!

For a shopping experience, do you prefer the Dubai Mall or the Rue Saint-Honoré?

Without hesitation the Rue Saint-Honoré! For the pleasure of strolling down the street, shopping and enjoying coffee breaks!