Maison Rabih Kayrouz launches new ready-to-wear line MRK

By

Dominique Muret

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Mar 8, 2021

Maison Rabih Kayrouz has unveiled its latest project, MRK, at Paris Fashion Week. The Lebanese label, which has been showing at Paris Haute Couture Week for the last four years, exceptionally presented its latest collection as part of this season’s virtual ready-to-wear calendar, selecting the occasion to launch its new line, MRK.

MRK’s Fall/Winter 2021-22 ready-to-wear collection is defined by rigorous design and well-crafted cuts. It consists of a selection of beautiful, timeless items, revisiting the classic women’s wardrobe staples in the sophisticated, minimalistic style beloved of Rabih Kayrouz.

In 2019, Kayrouz began to test this concept with a line called ‘Les Essentiels’, featuring a series of essential high-quality items to be revisited every season. ‘Les Essentiels’ will continue to exist in parallel with MRK.

Kayrouz started from the same premise to create the latter, while giving the concept a fresh treatment. MRK’s looks will continue to evolve season after season, featuring new materials and proportions. The collection will be presented twice yearly, in January and July, and will be made available in three distinct drops, in line with current trends.
 
MRK is designed to offer a complete, easy-to-wear wardrobe combining comfort and simplicity, and including overcoats, jackets, blouses, trousers, skirts and dresses, both for day and evening wear.

Kayrouz has worked in partnership with his label’s suppliers to be able to position MRK in a more affordable market segment, whose prices are 20% to 30% below those of Rabih Kayrouz’s usual range. Some of the items will be priced at around €300, well below the habitual price points.

Most of the fabrics will be drawn from Rabih Kayrouz’s archives, and Kayrouz himself will update some of the garments he painstakingly designed for previous collections, paying his customary care to the materials’ fineness and feel, as well as to detailing and finishings.

For next winter, he has concocted all-enveloping woollen overcoats, ample capes and trench coats in double gabardine, men’s-style jackets with pared-down lines, flowing poplin blouses and dresses with geometric patterns, monochrome velvet sets for everyday use, and knitwear and flannel items to be mixed and matched at will.