Georges Chakra: My Pet Peeves And Guiltiest Pleasures

Harpers Bazaar Arabia

6 days ago

Revered for crafting the most wow-factor wedding dresses in the world, a Georges Chakra bridal gown is a walking work of art. Reserved for brides who dress-best, the creative director talks about the pursuit of perfection – one dress at a time
Is it more important to be liked or respected?
Respected. Being liked is always nice, and of course, you try to be kind and fair in how you deal with people everyday, but respect goes further. It means people believe in your work, values and judgment.
Do you have a book that changed your life?
Le Petit Prince. I read it when I was very young, and it's one of those stories that stays with you. It teaches you to look and to see with your heart – not just your eyes. That's something I still use when I design.
What did you last Spotify Wrapped look like?
I actually still listen to my CD collection; there is something very tactile and personal when looking through the CDs and picking one. My collection consists of mostly classical Arabic songs. I don't usually design with music playing, but I'll put something on in the car or late at night when I need to clear my head.
Who is your hero?
My mother. She was strong, elegant, never tried too hard. Everything I know about order and presence, I learned from her.
What do you consider the most over-rated virtue?
Perfection. It doesn't really exist but I still find myself chasing it – in the fit of a dress, in organising my office, even in how the ribbons are tied on hangers.
What would you ban if you had the chance?
Excess noise online, in fashion and everywhere. We need more space to experience, to think, feel and breathe.
What is your motto?
Less in more, but every detail matters.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd learn to rest more. My mind never really turns off; even on vacation, I find myself sketching or mentally sorting through potential ideas.
What's your greatest extravagance?
Travelling. I love discovering unexpected shops in small towns with a history of craft, where things are still made by hand. To me, that is true luxury.
What is your most treasured possession?
A watch I bought for myself when I reached what felt like my first real milestone in my career. It was a quiet reminder that I was building something of my own.
If you could be anyone else, who would it be?
A painter. There's something so freeing about working with colour and emotion, without rules or fittings or deadlines. Just you, the canvas and the moment.
What are you proudest of?
The fact that we've built something lasting, with integrity and with heart. I have been surrounded by incredible people who believed in the vision and helped shape it with me.
What does success mean to you?
Success is consistency, and being able to do what I love, at a high level, year after year, without compromising my vision.
What trait do you most admire in others?
Poise. There's something so powerful about someone who moves with quiet confidence, especially in a world that's always competing to be louder. It's grace under pressure.
What inspires you most about your job?
The process of taking a fabric and shaping it into something that feels intentional and that tells a story; that's what keeps it interesting.
Armani.
What would you tell your younger self?
Be patient, and trust your instincts.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
It is not always guilty, but late-night desserts.