Tony Ward,Designer and Founder,Tony WardFashion Talks, Fashion Gear

Home / Knowledge / Fashion / Fashion Talk

Fashion Talk

Tony Ward

Designer and Founder
Tony Ward

"You have to truly understand what your client wants, know her needs, what suits her more and fits her best, and, most importantly, highlights her qualities."

Fibre2Fashion: How has the journey been from a designer to the owner of the Tony Ward brand?

Tony Ward:

I always try to reinvent myself. I believe that when you stop doing that, you stop being alive. Success is something that you constantly re-evaluate. I am happy to be where I am today. I have worked a lot for that, but I still plan to continue my endeavours and create new challenges.

F2F: How is the fashion culture in Lebanon?

TW:

Lebanese women are generally very sophisticated, fashionable and elegant. It is a particularity of Middle Eastern women and we are very proud of that. I am constantly challenged to create innovative, adapted designs for the Lebanese market. These women are fascinating and their sense of fashion is an inspiration.

F2F: Which designs, patterns and fabrics are in trend for wedding gowns?

TW:

Among my favourite materials are silicone and lace. I mixed them to create a beautiful one-of-a-kind fabric. I like detailed and very well-structured dresses with strictly cut lines. I am currently in love with lace and flowing dresses with less volume.

F2F: How can a designer create an outfit that is comfortable yet enhances the feminine and sensual look?

TW:

Listening is very important in the fashion industry. You have to truly understand what your client wants, know her needs, what suits her more and fits her best, and, most importantly, highlights her qualities. A good designer is like a trusted advisor. He should be able to emphasise the most beautiful traits of the person he is dressing.

F2F: What is your take on a perfect outfit for a woman?

TW:

Knowing how to dress for your body type is very important if you want to look your best. The cut of a dress should suit the body of the woman wearing it. If you are slim, a body-conscious dress would be amazing. If you have big hips, a slight A-line at the waist can help. If you have a big bust, you need to tighten the shoulders.

F2F: What does a designer keep in mind while designing gowns for different occasions like wedding, parties, and events?

TW:

The Tony Ward style is a mix between timeless elegance and simple, yet sophisticated shapes. I adapt my design depending on the occasion, whether it is with the choice of fabric or the desired impact of the dress.

F2F: Unlike other designers who move to Paris, Spain and Milan to establish themselves, you moved from Paris to Lebanon, your home country, to launch your brand. What is the reason?

TW:

To become a fashion designer, you must have talent. However, there are some techniques and craftsmanship that cannot be learnt at schools. I consider the experience I gained from my studies at La chambre Syndicale Parisienne very important. But I always considered going back to my country to make something there. I am very attached to my roots.

F2F: How do you see fashion in Lebanon growing?

TW:

Lebanon is booming with fashion designers. It is evolving quickly. Lebanese designers have become internationally renowned for good taste.

F2F: How important is a brand name in the fashion industry?

TW:

A brand name is very important in the fashion industry. It builds consumer trust and loyalty and helps reinforce brand identity. You can create amazing designs but if you do not have brand recognition, you will not survive.

Published on: 08/01/2014

Print this Fashion Talk

Expert Speak VIEW ALL

'Everything should be accessible to everyone'

It was not very long ago that people who shopped online in India were considered 'ahead of time'....

Posted by
Arun Sirdeshmukh

Can India afford to miss the bus again?

Why do I ask if India can afford to miss the bus again? Because whether we like it or not, whether...

Posted by
Rahul Mehta

The management of quality

Effective quality management starts with a quality policy. Effectiveness is the extent to which...

Posted by
Pradip Mehta

Indian textiles should not stop just at 'Make in India'

Indians are too enamoured of Hollywood. We can’t help it. We have been conditioned this way. The...

Posted by
Anurag Batra

Looking ahead: The Digital Revolution

A few years later, the same process is now taking place in textile printing, and this has never...

Posted by
Gabi Seligsohn

Luxury belongs to India

Luxury is a lifestyle, and fashion is just a minuscule part of it. Businesswise-the most visible or ...

Posted by
Abhay Gupta

Sentiment Metrics

A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey concluded that a majority of US companies are having...

Posted by
Bill D’Arienzo

Get ready for the future

Is your business ready for Textiles 4.0? Before you can say, 'Yes', 'No', 'May be' or 'I don't...

Posted by
Aseem Prakash

Dyeing needs to be sustainable

The focus in research and development (R&D) is now more and more set on new sustainable products...

Posted by
Fanny Vermandel

Make in India: Will we 'make' it?

Imagine a cricketer, once an exciting player but now aged 45, having put on oodles of weight, too...

Posted by
Rahul Mehta