Reimagined Meets Modesty in Rani Zakhem’s Ramadan Edit

Rani Zakhem’s new Ramadan collection includes a bridal gown with a fishtail design made with an overskirt | Photo provided by Rani Zakhem.

The new Ramadan collection gives women options

Set in Beirut’s suburb of Sin El Fil is Zakhem Plaza, a twenty-two-floor edifice of unique design innovation where avant-garde Couture designer Rani Zakhem’s atelier is housed. Tall and astute, Rani has known the fashion world for a long time now, having presented collections of intricate designs to the world, with enviable clientele like Lebanon’s First Lady Neemat Aoun. He has also dressed many-a-Hollywood actresses from Betty White to Queen Latifah, and singing icon Mariah Carey. He recently unveiled his 2025 Ramadan Exclusive collection of reimagined modest and loose-fitting looks that sit alongside his newly designed Couture gowns.

The collection was unveiled in January in Kuwait City, in collaboration with FashioNet. Zakhem joined forces with Shamayel Al Qaoud and Fashion consultant Roula Hasbani at a one-of-a-kind event Aura of Senses, where his silk Kaftans and evening gowns were put on display.

Couture gowns in the collection are perfect for a formal evening | Photo provided by Rani Zakhem.

“Working with FashioNet and Shamayel and her brother Hamad who is a very talented photographer and head of Studio.Xposé was an absolute and utter delight. It was seamless,” says Zakhem in collection notes.

 The collection was created just in time for the month of Ramadan, which starts February 28th and lasts until March 29th, and Mother’s Day (which falls on March 21st for Lebanon). But it’s not just an exclusive collection, it’s also an inclusive one. What many people may not know about Zakhem is that he is the first Arab designer to create exclusively for plus size women. So, this collection is a bridge between inclusive fashion, modest wear, and Couture craftsmanship. For Zakhem, it is very important that women of all sizes feel that they have options of looks, where they can feel beautiful.

The Kaftans are done in colorful hues, are made with fine silks, and expressed with hand embroideries in lurex threads, paillettes, bugle beads, and Swarovski crystals. The silhouettes are inspired by oriental and arabesque motifs, yet with western style cuts- a blend of East and West. Zakhem drew inspiration from the works of two of his favorite interior designers: Mario Buatta and Alberto Pinto. “Their use of chinoiseries and chintz was a starting point for the choice of materials, and embroidery drawings featuring florals and treillages,” he explains.

And the Couture looks are simply stunning. Pieces that can be worn to a wedding or to a formal event, and there’s even a bridal gown itself in the collection with a fishtail design made with an overskirt. Attention for each gown is given with Zakhem’s use of superb fabrics and intricate embroideries. The mint green taffeta Moiré ball gown cinched with a raspberry taffeta sash is femininely bold. His pastel hued gowns are simply stunning, just like the pink duchess silk ball gown with embroidered pastel intarsia flowers. And the strapless black point d’esprit corseted ball gown with hand appliqué embroidered butterflies is young, fun, and elegant.

There are also more casual, yet dressy knee-length dresses like lemon lime toned plissé Soleil crepe knee and midi length dresses. What this collection does is gives options to women for formal and dressy occasions. The collection is available at Black Boushiya Boutique in Kuwait City all through the month of Ramadan, or can be purchased directly through the House of Rani Zakhem.