Starch is an organisation that nurtures up and coming Lebanese designers. This year Starch is showcasing Timi Hayek and Jo Baaklini at Fashion Forward 2014.
Timi and Jo both studied at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design. While completing her diploma, Timi worked for Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac as well as Alexander McQueen and Mary Katrantzou. In 2010 she won the Liberty Art Fabrics Award and her winning design was sold at Liberty & Co. Timi Hayek launches her eponymous fashion label with the support of Starch while also working as an illustrator. Her designs are fun and feminine with a painterly edge.
Jo Baaklini is a multi-disciplinary designer based in Beirut who studied graphic design, film and animation. He has worked as a freelance creative since graduating in 2012. His ventures include textiles, jewellery and now fashion design. After presenting a range of textiles at Beirut Design Week‘s New Designers 2013 show, Starch Foundation selected him to launch his own label, Atelier Jo Baaklini. His initial collection includes bold prints, strong colours and clean shapes.
Photography: Ajith Narendra
