His atelier was left glimmering with broken glass and scattered with fabric in the wake of the August 4 explosion at Beirut's port.
But, just two months after the devastating explosion, Rami Kadi and his team have risen, like phoenixes from the ashes, to unveil a new collection laced with poignant hope.
The Lebanese-American couturier has dedicated his autumn / winter 2021 collection, entitled Dessiner le Vide (Draw the Void), to the resilience of his country, as well as using the pieces to highlight the holes left by the tragedy.
"Creativity does not shy away from the unknown, and beauty can never cave in, even when the going gets tough," said Kadi as the collection was unveiled. "On the contrary, beauty pulls the beast of void by its horns and tames it to its liking. It redefines emptiness and illustrates it in a memorable fashion."
The season comprises 20 gowns, including two bridal designs, each laced with a minimal sensibility when it comes to lines and silhouettes.
However, in a bid to "turn emptiness into a breathing element that bustles with life", each piece is imbued with elements of beauty, from shimmering sequins and crystal detailing to tulle tiers and delicate glass beads.
Kadi describes the collection as "galvanised by optimism", with the colour palette – which sweeps from blush pinks through to wistful mauve and striking blues – chosen to represent a "new season in motion".
Scroll through the gallery above for a closer look at Rami Kadi's autumn / winter 2021 collection.
Kadi, whose eponymous label has been worn by Kendall Jenner, Rachel McAdams and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in August announced proceeds from sales of an autumn / winter 2020 couture dress would help rebuild Beirut.
Sales of a pale-blue, ornately embroidered gown went to Bebw'shebbek, an organisation focused on rebuilding the doors and windows of about 80,000 homes in the city.
