Starch
Starch is a Beirut based non-profit platform that launches emerging Lebanese fashion and accessory designers. Founded in 2008 by designer Rabih Kayrouz and Tala Hajjar, it combines mentorship with a retail showroom in the Saifi district.
| Founded | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Rabih Kayrouz, Tala Hajjar |
| Type | Non-profit designer incubator |
| Showroom | Saifi, Beirut |
| Website | starchfoundation.org |
What is Starch?
Starch, also known as the Starch Foundation, is a Lebanese non-governmental organisation that supports young designers at the start of their careers. Rather than a single label, it operates as a mentorship programme and multi-designer showroom in Beirut.
History
Starch was founded in 2008 by Lebanese couturier Rabih Kayrouz and Tala Hajjar, who was then his PR and marketing manager. Kayrouz works in Paris, while Hajjar is based in Beirut.
Products and positioning
Each Starch cohort brings together fashion and accessory designers, along with an architect who designs the showroom space for that season. The programme covers the full process of launching a collection:
- Design development with critique and advice from the founders
- A runway presentation, including at Fashion Forward in Dubai
- Press and marketing support
- A year long retail presence in the Saifi showroom
Talks and seminars with industry figures form part of the programme, and since 2015 a dedicated salesperson has run the shop.
Why it matters
Starch is widely credited with helping to build Beirut's contemporary design scene, giving new designers a commercial platform and visibility that would be hard to achieve alone.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Starch in Beirut?
Starch was founded in 2008 by Lebanese designer Rabih Kayrouz and Tala Hajjar.
What is Starch?
Starch is a non-profit platform that mentors emerging Lebanese fashion and accessory designers and sells their collections in a Beirut showroom.