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Mohammed Sultan Al Habtoor’s KENZO experience

KENZO by Mr. Marras

It almost seems like everything happened in a split second when I think of how the process of my collaboration with LVMH for Kenzo went and the series of events that followed. It’s not everyday you get the chance of a lifetime like the one I was privileged with. It wasn’t long ago when I sat opposite Carine Rothfield front row at a Kenzo show (which by the way i almost didn’t make it there since it was a complete nightmare to find a taxi at 9:30 AM in the morning in Paris during PFW but i had literally made it seconds before the show had started). I sat, watched and fantasized, noticing the models parading down the ramp. The model that stuck out like a sore thumb to me was new face (at the time) Hind Sahli and I was so excited that Antonio, a visionary, was giving the Arabic blood a chance to shine.

Rewinding back a few months ago and getting to the point of where my story leads to, my amazing friend from the Kenzo house, Raquel, called me one morning and asks, “Mohammed, Antonio is doing a press tour around some of the regions and Dubai will be one of the stops. They are in awe with the culture here and want to meet some of the Nationals so I thought of you instantly”. The telephone conversation ended with me agreeing on attend the very private dinner with Antonio Marras and his team.

It was such an amazing evening filled with such topics covering everything from fashion and culture to politics. I tapped on how amazing it was to see an Arab beauty walking in the Kenzo show that I had attended and he agreed that his vision was motivated by bridging cultures. The evening ended with farewells, good byes and “see you soon”. Little did I know that I would be seeing them sooner than I thought.

In May I got another telephone call from Raquel. I was fidgeting with something and didn’t quite clearly hear what she was saying, however as on I never say “no” to her, I just said “Sure love, I would be more than happy to attend.” Her instant reaction was “Mohammed, that’s not what I asked, pay attention, they are inviting you to walk in the show”. To my shock I went silent for a good fifteen seconds and I dropped the phone. All I could hear was a fuzzy “Hello? Hellooooo? HELLOOOO MOHAMMED????”. Quite clearly, I could not say “no” to my dear friend Raquel.

Paris June 2011
I rush off to my fitting in the Paris showroom again struggling with taxi troubles and made it spot on time. I’m pointed to many stair cases, halls and door ways and everyone is buzzing with the rush of preparation for the show the next morning. All I could think of to myself was “What am I doing here?”. I get ushered into a long room with rails and rails of the collection pieces. I sit down silently before I see Antonio and his beautiful wife Patrizia with an entire team of people stampeding towards me. “Ciao Mohammed, how are you doing?” The meet and greet session ends and I get fitted and made to walk up and down the hall. Clothes, shoes, sunglasses, belts, scarfs and almost anything fashion that you could think of was thrown on me. Photographs were taken of me and the process ends with me sitting on a couch to with the people that what I would instantly call my family. The decision was made – I was to close the Kenzo show.

The next morning (no taxi trouble this time as mine was pre-order) I make my way to the show location. All the models are there on time being prepped with hair and makeup. I stand thinking to myself again “I need a coffee”, and am taken to a private dressing room where I was told to sit in it. I was told that anything I needed would be brought to me. Little did I know that the arrangements were that the head hairstylist and the head makeup artist were to prep me up separately in a private room with 2 security guards to protect me from God knows what. Who am I? Naomi Campbell? “We need Mohammed downstairs for a rehearsal”, was shouted through the backstage, so I rushed down and for the rehearsals with the other boys the music and the special effects.

The show starts, I do my run and close the show. Press and friends and more farewells. It was overall an amazing experience – I had such a great time.

Dubai July 2011
My phone rings again, “Did you hear what happened? Antonio Marras is no longer with Kenzo, and you were the last person to walk for him in his last mens show for the brand.”

Contributer : Mohammed Sultan Al Habtoor

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