Lebanese celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad shares with Emirates Man about the moments he feels proudest, his love for red-carpet, and navigating the daunting task of packing for summer.

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?

Actually, it takes me two hours to start my day – one Americano for each. The first thing I do is to check my phone and reply to all the messages received especially from celebrities sent after midnight. Then I scroll over social media to stay updated. I take my shower, wear my black outfit, and am ready to kick off a crazy day.

Cedric Haddad

What age were you when you first knew you had a strong sense for the aesthetic?

Five years old! When I found myself in conversations about fashion and style with family members and friends. I used to give my opinion with full self confidence on my mom’s looks and I never forgot what everyone around me used to wear.

How did you start your own business and what was the signal that it was the right time?

It all started as a hobby – I didn’t know you could create a career out of it at that time. When I was doing my masters, I remember I was 20 years old when I was requested to send over some of my personal looks for a shoot and I was surprised to see my clothes on international models on the billboards. When I got asked to style my first shoot, I was nervous since I had never officially done it. However, I always remember what the producer told me at that time: “Cedric, take it… The ones who are doing it are not better than you.”

Have you had any mentors along the way and if so, what knowledge did they impart?

I learned it the hard way. Twelve years ago styling was not a common job and my dad who is an engineer once asked me: “Are you sure you want to dress people? Is this really what you want?”. My biggest challenge was to prove that, yes, this is what I want – and once you do it right the sky is the limit.

What excites you about the fashion industry in the UAE and the Middle East region?

The Arab woman! She has come a very long way and proved to be a style icon to many – and what makes it more exciting is the rise of exclusive collections being dedicatedly made especially for the Middle East.

How has your signature style evolved over the years?

My ultimate pleasure is for people to know I am behind this look without seeing my name. That’s how #StyledByCed was created: I describe it as timeless, elegant, and strong. I love it when someone sees his or her pictures ten years from now and still be able to say “I love myself”.

You have both male and female clients – what key pieces do you suggest they each have in their wardrobe?

I always advise women to invest in: a little black dress, white poplin 100% cotton shirt, a black tailored blazer, basic straight-leg blue denim, one pair of black straight-leg pants, and black and nude pumps. For men, it would be a formal tailored suit, shirt, semi-formal blazer, a pair of white sneakers and black loafers.

What is your advice for packing for multiple locations over the summer?

Do not overpack. It’s all about mix and match. Understand the functionality of each garment packed where one piece can be styled in multiple ways so you can use it and abuse it. One important tip is folding – the better you do it, the more space you’ll have. Always remember that you are going to shop wherever you are so make sure to keep space for that.

This is The Summer Escape Issue – where will you be escaping to this summer?

So far away! On an island where no one can find me.

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Images: Supplied