Maison LESLEY is a designer brand specializing in high end Bridal and Couture Evening Wear. The company was established in 2008 by the designer Lesley Choueiry, headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon. Over the past decade, Maison LESLEY has established itself as a leading couture brand, with garments characterized by their high-quality fabrications, meticulous sewing techniques, and craftsmanship that allows each garment to meet our client’s exact specifications. LESLEY equips you with personalized fittings to ensure a flawless fit and realization of the gown. Featuring the very finest finishing and details that our world has to offer, Maison Lesley provides a personal service in the creation of the clients dream gown. Maison Lesley’s secret lies in mixing craftsmanship using old and forgotten techniques with innovation and materials inspired by modern trends. In this interview, Lesley Choueiry reveals her own experience about starting her career as a designer and much more.
Tell us about your greatest strength as a professional?
My greatest strength as a professional is my ability to handle pressure and work under a tight deadline. I also take pride in my ability to connect with my clients and visualize their thoughts to create their perfect dress.
What inspired you to set up your business?
Growing up, I often raided my mom’s closet to create different outfits. Eventually, as I grew a bit older, I began creating my own clothes to wear on outings. At this point, I knew I wanted to become a fashion designer as it piqued my interest and enabled me to explore my creativity. So, I started Maison Lesley out of a desire to create magical pieces that would make women feel empowered.
How you got involved in fashion design industry and why?
As I mentioned previously, I have been interested in fashion design since I was a young girl. I have also always believed in the power of self-appearance; when you look good you feel good. So, in 2009 I opened my first store in Lebanon in hopes of creating couture and bridal dresses that would make women feel good about themselves. Since then, I have expanded by creating my RTW brand, Mystiquerose, as well as opened other stores across Lebanon.
Lesley Choueiry
What are the 3 most important things that people should know about Maison Lesley?
Maison Lesley is built on three core values: Customer Happiness, Integrity, and Innovation. Our main focus is and always has been our clients and their satisfaction, so we always aim to provide a quality experience to the clients we serve. Moreover, we value honesty, transparency and a commitment to doing what is best for our clients, teammates and company. Furthermore, we always strive to improve and do better by challenging ourselves to see what is possible to better meet the needs of our customers, team and company.
Is there something that you try to communicate through your designs?
My design process usually involves taking inspiration from various sources that transcend time and geographical location. I try to communicate such influences in my collection. For instance, I have multiple pieces that were inspired from masterpieces of art such as Albrecht Dürer’s Adam and Eve in my previous couture collections.
What is your favorite part of being in the fashion industry?
My favorite part about being in the fashion industry is the fact that I get to constantly meet and connect with new people from all over the world. By doing so, I get to continually learn about new cultures and ethnicities.
You are a true multi-talent. What motivates you?
After 13 years of working in the fashion industry, the thing that still motivates me the most is seeing the look of satisfaction and content on my clients faces after they see their finished piece.
All creative projects have their challenges. What challenges do independent brands like yourself face?
Right now I would say the main challenge we face is the insufficient supply chain of textile and raw materials that is occurring globally, especially after Covid. Another constant challenge we face is our products being counterfeited and sold behind our backs.
