Reem Acra

Reem Acra studied at the American University of Beirut, where her parents both worked. Her mother, Nadia, worked in the family medicine department, and her father, Aftim, was a prominent and distinguished academic, professor, public health expert, and an amber collector.{{cite news |title=Reem Acra Designs Uniforms for the American University of Beirut Medical Center |url=http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/reem-acra-designs-uniforms-for-the-american-university-of-beirut-medical-center-7704528 |work=Women's Wear Daily |first=Marc |last=Karimzadeh |date=May 30, 2014 |accessdate=2014-08-20 }}{{cite web|last1=Acra|first1=Aftim|title=The Amber of Lebanon: an Ecological Museum of Fossils|url=http://almashriq.hiof.no/ddc/projects/amber/acra/amber.html|website=American University of Beirut|publisher=American University of Beirut|accessdate=5 September 2014}} She grew up with three brothers, Michael, Fadi, and Sari, in Beirut.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Brooke|title=Reem Acra's Eye for Beirut's Beauty|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324634304578537510556788522|accessdate=21 August 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=2013-06-20}}{{cite news |title=At Home With Reem Acra (PHOTOS) |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-geana/at-home-with-reem-acra-ph_b_671151.html |work=Huffington Post |first=Alex |last=Geana |date=2010-08-15 |accessdate=2014-08-20 }}

While a teenager, she joined the fashion club at the American University in Beirut where she graduated in 1982 with a business degree. She held a fashion show in June 1982 that attracted 2,000 people.{{cite news|last1=Hatem|first1=Yasmina|title=Underneath the Dress: Reem Acra|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/weddings/underneath_the_dress_reem_acra|accessdate=21 August 2014|work=Now Magazine|publisher=Mercury Media, Inc.|date=2012-11-05}} In 1986, she graduated magna cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and won the Fashion Design Department’s award for her year.{{cite web|last1=Joseph|first1=Alex|title=The Gold Standard: Reem Acra, Fashion Design '86, is having her moment|url=http://www.fitnyc.edu/6637.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527181834/http://www.fitnyc.edu/6637.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2010|website=Hue Magazine|publisher=State University of New York|accessdate=21 August 2014}} After graduating from FIT, Acra studied at the École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode design school in Paris.

Acra left Beirut in 1983, relocating to New York City, during the peak of the Lebanese Civil War.{{cite news |title=Reem Acra returns home to Beirut with first store |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110305014.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Zeina |last=Karam |author-link=Zeina Karam |date=2010-11-03 |accessdate=2014-08-20 }}

File:Reem Acra's designs on the runway.png

After her studies at ESMOD in Paris, Acra took mainstream fashion design positions in Hong Kong and Taiwan. At the age of 25 she was overseeing a $30 million project, but left after seven years to start her own line in New York.

Acra worked as a luxury interior designer for three years before starting her own line.{{cite news|title=An Interview with Reem Acra, Designer|url=http://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2010.4_Oct/Defining%20Luxury/LEADERS-Reem-Acra-Designer.html|accessdate=21 August 2014|work=Leaders Magazine|date=October 2010|ref=interview reem}}

Acra started her company in 1997 as a bridal line, after designing a dress for a friend's wedding in three weeks, on a bet that if she could meet the deadline, her friend, would go through with the wedding, set in Paris at the Hôtel de Crillon. Acra took a photograph of the dress and distributed it to the media, including The New York Times, which published the photograph. She held her first fashion show in 1999.

Soon after, she bought $20,000 in fabric with her American Express card, pitched designs to Saks Fifth Avenue and Kleinfeld, and received an order for thirty dresses. She then worked with 89-year-old Max Kane, who owned a factory on 39th Street in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen. Acra credits her early success with Kane's mentoring and support. After working with Kane, Acra expanded her business to additional factories and opened her own production centers. Her brand expanded to include evening-gowns in 2003 and a ready-to-wear collection in 2008. Her designs are carried in more than 150 retailers around the world.{{cite news|last1=McLaughlin-Duane|first1=Rebecca|title=Reem Acra: the secret of my success|url=http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/reem-acra-the-secret-of-my-success|accessdate=21 August 2014|work=The National|publisher=Abu Dhabi Media|date=2013-05-13}}

Her atelier is located on West 35th Street in Manhattan.{{cite news|last1=Marsh|first1=Julia|title=Celebrity wedding dress designer sues over showroom fire|url=https://nypost.com/2014/07/31/celebrity-wedding-dress-designer-sues-over-showroom-fire/|accessdate=21 August 2014|work=New York Post|publisher=NYP Holdings, Inc.|date=2014-07-31|ref=acra-fire}}

File:Madonna @ 69th Annual Golden Globes Awards 01 cropped.jpg

The following celebrities have worn Acra's gowns: Christina Applegate, Halle Berry,{{cite news |title=Reem Acra Designer Profile |url=http://nymag.com/thecut/fashion/designers/reem-acra/ |work=New York |accessdate=2014-08-20 }} Beyoncé, Jill Biden, Julie Bowen,{{cite news |title=Who Wore Reem Acra Better? Olivia Wilde or Julie Bowen |url=http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2012/02/06/who-wore-reem-acra-better-olivia-wilde-or-julie-bowen/ |work=Red Carpet Fashion Awards |first=Catherine |last=Kallon |date=2012-06-02 |accessdate=2014-08-20 }} Jane Fonda, Selena Gomez, Anna Gunn,{{cite news|last1=Dougherty|first1=Margot|title=Anna Gunn: From 'Breaking Bad' to Breakthrough Star|url=http://www.more.com/entertainment/celebrities-movies-tv-music/anna-gunn-breaking-bad-breakthrough-star|accessdate=3 September 2014|work=More Magazine|ref=more-mag|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909090444/http://www.more.com/entertainment/celebrities-movies-tv-music/anna-gunn-breaking-bad-breakthrough-star|archivedate=9 September 2014}} Katherine Heigl, Angelina Jolie, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Olivia Munn,{{cite web|title=Olivia Munn Heats Up Allure|url=http://emmanueltjiya.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/olivia-munn-heats-up-allure/|website=Black Jesus Amen Fashion|accessdate=3 September 2014}} Nicole Richie, Kristen Stewart, Tika Sumpter,{{cite news|last1=Gaffney|first1=Adrienne|title=A Gossip Girl Goes Mainstream|url=http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/213150/53|accessdate=3 September 2014|work=Gotham Magazine|publisher=Gotham Magazine}} Taylor Swift, Olivia Wilde, Reese Witherspoon,{{cite news|title=Hot Couture|url=http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webmgate/summer05/4.html|accessdate=21 August 2014|work=The MainGate Magazine|publisher=American University of Beirut|date=May 2005}} Robin Wright,{{cite news|last1=Kallon|first1=Catherine|title=Robin Wright In Reem Acra – 2014 Golden Globe Awards|url=http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2014/01/13/robin-wright-reem-acra-2014-golden-globe-awards/|accessdate=26 August 2014|work=Red Carpet Fashion Awards|publisher=Red Carpet Fashion Awards|date=2014-01-13}} Catherine Zeta-Jones, Melania Trump,{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2017/01/21/Melania-Trump-wears-dress-by-Lebanese-immigrant-designer-.html|title=Melania Trump wears dress by Lebanese immigrant designer|last=|first=|date=21 January 2017|website=Al Arabiya English|publisher=|access-date=21 January 2017}}Usha Vance, Allison Janney

The following celebrities have worn Acra's bridal gowns during their weddings; LeAnn Rimes,{{cite news|last1=Laudadio|first1=Marisa|title=LeAnn Rimes's Wedding Dress: All the Details!|url=http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2011/04/28/leann-rimes-wedding/|accessdate=26 August 2014|work=People|publisher=Time, Inc.|date=2011-04-28}} Jenna Dewan,{{cite news|title=Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Get Married!|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/channing-tatum-and-jenna-dewan-get-married-2009117|accessdate=26 August 2014|work=US Weekly|publisher=Wenner Media|date=2011-07-09}} and Marcia Cross.{{cite web|title=The Best Dressed Celebrity Brides of All Time|url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20464370_20403733_20946248,00.html|website=InStyle|publisher=InStyle|accessdate=26 August 2014}}

In August 2007, a limited edition Reem Acra Bride Barbie doll was released, intended for adult collectors.{{cite web|title=Reem Acra® Bride Barbie® Doll|url=http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/reem-acra174-bride-barbie174-doll|website=Barbie Collector|accessdate=3 September 2014}}{{cite news|title=Reem Acra - Barbie's 50th Anniversary Runway Show|url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/fashionweek/photos/0,,20259573_20259343_20580240,00.html|accessdate=3 September 2014|work=In Style|date=2009|ref=in-style}}

In 2021, Reem Arca dressed Jill Biden for the inauguration of President Biden.

File:Reem Acra's New York City Store.png

In November 2010, she opened a store in Beirut, which sells Acra's evening wear and ready-to-wear collections, in addition to accessories and a bridal salon. The store is located at 94 Avenue Foch.{{cite news|last1=Saad|first1=Shirine|title=Where to Shop Top Lebanese Designers in Beirut|url=http://magazine.fourseasons.com/mini-guide/beirut-shopping-guide|accessdate=21 August 2014|work=Four Seasons Magazine|publisher=Pace Communications|date=2014-03-18}} Acra's retail reach is spread throughout all major fancy international destinations. Acra also launched a line on the Home Shopping Network in September 2010.{{cite news|title=Reem Acra to Launch Exclusive New Collection with HSN|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=HSM:GR&sid=apfMi2AB7iKA|accessdate=3 September 2014|work=Bloomberg|publisher=Bloomberg|date=August 2013}}

In 2014, Acra designed and produced the uniforms for the American University of Beirut Medical Center, where her parents both had worked.

Actress Allison Janney wore a bright red Acra gown with floor length sleeves while accepting the 2018 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.{{cite web|title=Allison Janney Wears More Than $4 Million Worth of Jewelry to the Oscars|url=http://people.com/style/oscars-2018-allison-janney-red-gown-diamond-jewelry|website=People|publisher=People|accessdate=5 March 2018}}

• Building Bridges award (October 2014) from Bridges of Understanding{{cite news|last1=Feitelberg|first1=Rosemary|title=Reem Acra to Be Honored at Bridges of Understanding Dinner|url=http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/building-bridges-7979692?navSection=issues|accessdate=15 October 2014|work=Women's Wear Daily|publisher=Fairchild Publishing|date=2014-10-14|ref=bridges-award}}
• Member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America{{cite web|title=CFDA Member - Reem Acra|url=http://cfda.com/members#!reem-acra|website=Council of Fashion Designers of America|accessdate=3 September 2014}}
• Member of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council since its creation{{cite news|last1=Khouy|first1=Stephanie|title=DUBAI DESIGN AND FASHION COUNCIL ANNOUNCED: a wealth of design and fashion experience|url=http://arabia.style.com/fashion/news/members-of-the-dubai-design-and-fashion-council-announced/|accessdate=26 August 2014|work=Style.Com|agency=Style|publisher=Style|date=2014-08-14}}{{cite news|last1=Strum|first1=Beckie|title=Lebanese fashion, media leaders to spearhead Dubai council|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Life/Lubnan/2014/Aug-13/266989-lebanese-fashion-media-leaders-to-spearhead-dubai-council.ashx#axzz3BQLpIS6R|accessdate=26 August 2014|work=The Daily Star (Lebanon)|publisher=The Daily Star|date=2014-08-13}}
• Ellis Island award

Acra's home in New York City is a 3,200-square-foot loft in the Garment District, Manhattan. A New York magazine profile of Acra's apartment describes it as featuring: "...[a] striking photograph by Ruven Afanador ... part of an ad campaign for Acra’s bridal business; she enlarged it and let it take over a wall, transforming the image into a piece of art. A table was fashioned from blocks of resin that contain delicate pieces of sequin-embroidered lace that Acra used in her first bridal designs, an idea inspired by her father’s collection of amber.{{cite web|last1=Goodman|first1=Wendy|title=The International Style: Fashion designer Reem Acra has developed her discerning eye over a lifetime spent traveling the globe.|url=http://nymag.com/homedesign/greatrooms/reem-acra/|website=New York Magazine|date=9 October 2013 |publisher=New York Media LLC.|accessdate=27 August 2014|ref=2013-10-24}}

In addition to her New York City loft, Acra bought and renovated a 2,400-square-foot apartment in the husk of a bombed-out, 19th-century building in Saifi Village near downtown Beirut. A Wall Street Journal story on the apartment characterizes it as having minimal furnishings and bold colors. "I didn't want to overwhelm the place with things," Acra told a reporter for the story. She owns four homes altogether, two in Beirut, one in New York and one in Nashville.

Acra's label has sponsored the Fédération Équestre Internationale World Cup Dressage series since 2010.{{cite web|title=Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Title Sponsorship Extended to 2016|url=http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2012/10/03/reem-acra-fei-world-cup-dressage-title-sponsorship-extended-2016|website=EuroDressage|publisher=Eurodressage bvba|accessdate=26 August 2014}}{{cite web|title=WELCOME TO REEM ACRA & FEI|url=http://www.fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei|website=FEI|publisher=FEI|accessdate=26 August 2014}} Acra also has sponsored FEI's annual Best Athlete award.{{cite web|last1=Petcu|first1=Oliver|title=Reem Acra's inspiring connection with equestrian sports|url=http://www.cpp-luxury.com/reem-acras-inspiring-connection-with-equestrian-sports/|website=CPP Luxury|publisher=CPP Luxury|accessdate=26 August 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Burkhardt|first1=Marianne|title=Reem Acra "very proud" of her association with FEI's Best Athlete Award|url=http://www.feiawards.org/press-releases/details/reem-acra-very-proud-of-her-association-with-feis-best-athlete-award|website=FEI Awards|publisher=FEI|accessdate=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906043739/http://www.feiawards.org/press-releases/details/reem-acra-very-proud-of-her-association-with-feis-best-athlete-award |archive-date=September 6, 2014}}

Acra has designed gowns for the winners of her namesake Reem Acra Athlete of the Year award winners Adelinde Cornelissen{{cite news|title=Adelinde Cornelissen, FEI Athlete of the Year 2011|url=http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/11/15/adelinde-cornelissen-fei-athlete-year-2011|accessdate=27 August 2014|publisher=eurodressage|date=2011-11-15}} and Charlotte Dujardin.{{cite news|last1=Ricca-Smith|first1=Charlotte|title=Charlotte Dujardin named FEI's best athlete|url=http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2013/11/19/charlotte-dujardin-named-feis-best-athlete|accessdate=27 August 2014|work=Horse & Country|publisher=Horse & Country|date=2013-11-19}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.reemacra.com Official website]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acra, Reem}}

Category:Lebanese emigrants to the United States

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:High fashion brands

Category:Lebanese fashion designers

Category:Lebanese women in business

Category:Lebanese women fashion designers