Lady LUX

With a pencil and sketching pad in hand, creating gorgeous illustrations of powerful women in extravagant gowns, is where Oday Shakar feels most at peace and carefree.

“Drawing has always been a part of me as a child and as an adult. Nothing else really mattered at that moment,” the designer proclaimed.

He began to explore his talent at a young age, when forced to live in Iraq after a holiday visit turned into a prolonged detainment. Separated from his family and not relating well to his peers, Shakar preferred to spend his days sketching images of dresses drawn from his imagination.

His magnificent artwork caught the attention of his aunt, who at the time was studying to become a fashion designer. Immediately recognizing his potential, she would challenge him with sketching assignments and even gave him his first lesson in patternmaking and sewing.

By the age of 13, Shakar was already in love with design. While attending an Elie Saab couture show in Beirut Lebanon, he got inspired by the runway looks. As the models strutted down the runway in glamorous evening gowns, chills ran through his body. There was no question about it: Shakar knew he wanted to be a designer.

LadyLUX via Oday Shakar

When he was finally able to return to his home in California, Shakar finished high school and immediately enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles at the age of 18.

“School is what you make of it, and I was really invested. I was a 4.0 student,” Shakar said proudly.

Yet classes and projects weren’t enough for this ambitious creative. During his first semester, Shakar recognized the Von Dutch store on Melrose Ave wasn’t just a store but a brand.

“I asked if they had a designer, and if they didn’t, I would do it for free,” the designer said.

Von Dutch hired Shakar and later offered him a full-time position as lead designer. With only a semester left before graduation, Shakar decided to accept the job rather than complete his studies.

“You go to school to get a job and now I had one,” he said, justifying his decision.

LadyLUX via Oday Shakar

After two years of creating menswear, the young designer knew it was not his passion and returned to womenswear, working with pop artist Christina Milian. As Milian’s career took off, Shakar created her outfits for performances and music videos.

“My apartment became her personal styling studio. We would have fittings in the kitchen. It was nuts,” Shakar said. “But I also wanted to create pieces that I really liked.”

And what Shakar really loves is elaborate gowns. During his free time, he crafted the glamorous designs that had sparked his passion as a young boy.

Eveningwear is definitely where his true talent lies. After his pieces quickly got the attention of all the right people, he landed a sponsored charity runway show at Los Angeles Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. At 21, Shakar was named one of the youngest couture designers in California.

As Milian’s pop star career began to wane, Shakar obtained a job in retail sales at a Roberto Cavalli store. While some may have considered it a step back, he took it as an opportunity to better understand the woman’s body and to learn about gown construction. Shakar also began to create a network of powerful women that would later become his clients and biggest advocates.

LadyLUX via Oday Shakar

Craving a return to his own inspirations, Shakar left retail to pursue his dream of being a designer. After crafting pieces, he would show them to the woman he met while working at Roberto Cavalli. Interest in his creations heightened as his fans spread the word.

The dedicated designer shared, “It was like a domino effect. Woman would refer my designs to others, and I eventually met my future business partner.”

In 2009, Shakar and his business partner began his eponymous label of couture eveningwear, which would soon appear on celebrities all over the red carpet. The first major star to sport his styles was Sandra Bullock.

“During the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, Sandra Bullock wore one of my designs and I had no idea she was going to be styled in it. My client called me the minute she recognized it was mine,” he said excitedly.

LadyLUX via Oday Shakar

The actress’s dress piqued the interest of fashionistas everywhere. The next day, the 67 million hits to Shakar’s website promptly crashed the server.

Only two years after launching his line and with the help of an introduction from a loyal client, Shakar met with Neiman Marcus’ fashion director Ken Downing to showcase his Spring 2011 Sahara Jewel collection. Downing immediately fell in love with the feminine yet empowering designs, especially appreciating the bright purple, coral and turquoise colors and bold prints.

The Oday Shakar line was officially introduced in the Neiman Marcus couture department this Fall season in the Newport Beach, Calif.; Los Angeles; and Las Vegas stores.

His current collection, “A Dark Romance,” is selling out in stores, with cocktail dresses leading the pack as the best sellers. Shakar will be previewing his Spring 2012 collection, “A Fantasy Garden,” at Neiman Marcus next month.

LadyLUX via Oday Shakar

Without his passion and determination – and large handful of very loyal clients – Shakar would not be where he is today.

“Everything I have gone through has me stronger,” he explained. “You have to have thick skin for this industry, and I don’t regret any of the experiences that helped me better myself.”

This article was contributed Annette Tang of the Versastyle. You can follow Annette and her fashion adventures on Twitter at @theversastyle.

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Fashion / Features