Cynthia Merhej

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Cynthia Merhej
Born1989/1990
Beirut, Lebanon
Alma mater
Years active2016–present

Cynthia Merhej (born 1989/1990) is a Lebanese-Palestinian fashion designer and illustrator. She opened the couture womenswear atelier Renaissance Renaissance in Beirut and Paris. In 2021, Merhej became the first Arab woman shortlisted for the LVMH Prize.

Early life

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Merhej grew up in a suburb of Beirut.[1] Her great-grandmother Laurice Srouji opened an eponymous couture atelier in Jaffa that was frequented by socialites in the 1930s. Srouji was expelled and forced to leave her business during the Nakba.[2] Merhej's mother Laura Merhej is also a designer.[3] Merhej graduated from with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Illustration from London's Central Saint Martins in 2011 and a Master of Arts (MA) in Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art in 2013.[4]

Career

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In 2016, Merhej founded her label couture womenswear atelier, initially called Renaissance, in Beirut. For two years. Merhej worked in her mother's atelier Nos Intuitions,[5][6] preparing to launch her first collection. Merhej was named a 2019 designer to watch by Angela Koh of The New York Times.[7] Merhej began collaborating with Net-a-Porter, and Renaissance Renaissance was selected for the company's Vanguard programme.[8][9] Amid the 2020 Beirut explosion, Merhej relocated her operations to Paris.[10][11]

For Renaissance Renaissance, in 2021, Merhej became the first Arab woman shortlisted for the LVMH Prize.[12][13] Merhej was also a finalist for the Ready-to-Wear Award at the 2021 Fashion Trust Arabia.[14] Merhej returned to the 2023 Fashion Trust Arabia, where she jointly won the Evening Wear Award with Amir Al Kasm.[15]

Merhej collaborated with Miyako Bellizzi on the costume design for Durga Chew-Bose's film Bonjour Tristesse (2024).[16] For the second time, Merhej's Renaissance Renaissance was shortlisted for the 2025 LVMH Prize.[17] She has presented several Renaissance Renaissance collections at Paris Fashion Week.[18][19]

Artistry

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Merhej aims to design timeless and sustainable rather than trendy pieces, creating capsule collections for the "perennial wardrobe".[6]

Personal life

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Merhej has ADHD.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Ghanem, Khaoula (11 April 2021). "Introducing Renaissance Renaissance, the Lebanese label shortlisted for the LVMH Prize 2021". Arab News. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  2. ^ Issawi, Danya (21 April 2025). "For Cynthia Merhej, a Third-Generation Designer, Inspiration Comes From Within". The Cut. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  3. ^ Rodgers, Daniel (20 December 2024). ""It's About Not Giving Up": Cynthia And Laura Merhej Are The Mother-Daughter Dynasty Fashioning The Resistance". British Vogue. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Cynthia Merhej". Maison Mode Méditerranée (in French). Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  5. ^ Bobb, Brooke (30 November 2018). "Meet the Lebanese Designer Inspired by the Atelier Her Great-Grandmother Built in Beirut". Vogue. Retrieved 28 August 2025.(subscription required)
  6. ^ a b Kendall, Zoe (8 December 2020). "Emerging Brand Renaissance Renaissance Is an Ode to Female-Led Ateliers". AnOther. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  7. ^ Koh, Angela (8 February 2019). "5 New Designers to Watch This Season". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  8. ^ Ken Yang Shuen (26 September 2021). "Net-a-Porter's Vanguard Program Just Got Even Better With A New Fund For Students". FZine. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  9. ^ Various (22 March 2021). "From Lebanon with love: the tale of label Renaissance Renaissance". Net-a-Porter. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  10. ^ Khoury, Gilles (4 December 2020). "Meet the creative community rebuilding Beirut's fashion scene". i-D. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  11. ^ Twersky Winkler, Carolyn (11 April 2023). "Meet Cynthia Merhej, the Designer Putting Beirut on the Fashion Map". W. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Cynthia Merhej announced as first Arab woman shortlisted for fashion's LVMH Prize". Arab News. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  13. ^ Chilton, Jade (4 July 2021). "Cynthia Merhej On Being The First-Ever Arab Woman To Be Shortlisted For The LVMH Prize". Harper's BazaarArabia. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Meet Fashion Trust Arabia's 2021 Finalists". Mille. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  15. ^ Mariana Baião Santos (19 December 2023). "Fashion Trust Arabia 2023 Award – Meet the Winners". Yung. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  16. ^ Twersky Winkler, Carolyn (2 May 2025). "Designer Cynthia Merhej Gives the Bonjour Tristesse Costumes an Authentic Touch". W. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  17. ^ Akkari, Lara (17 February 2025). "The LVMH Prize 2025 Reveals 3 Arab Finalists". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  18. ^ Templeton, Lily (27 February 2024). "Ones to Watch at Paris Fashion Week for Fall 2024". WWD. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  19. ^ Isaac-Goizé, Tina (30 October 2024). "Renaissance Renaissance Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection". Vogue Runway. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  20. ^ Ahmed, Tasnim (4 June 2025). "053: A Conversation with Cynthia Merhej". Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2025.