NEW TYPE #36: Mônot - ELI MIZRAHI INTERVIEW

December 07, 2020 10:34 PM

Beginning with his childhood in Lebanon, Eli Mizrahi garnished inspiration from across the globe to debut his evening wear brand, Mônot, last fall. The unperturbed designer, who is now based in New York, continues to push boundaries with his most recent Spring/Summer 2021 collection. Boasting exquisite cut-outs and glamorous silhouettes, Mônot is rapidly catching the attention of high-profile clients and drawing out the confidence of its wearers. 

 

-INTERVIEW- 

1. For readers who may not be familiar with Mônot, could you please introduce the concept and vision of the brand? 

The name speaks for itself. Mono is singular. Monot is also the plural of Mono; basically, the brand stands for both inclusivity and individuality. 

I wanted to create a sophisticated label with couture-level execution at an attainable price point. The sleek, minimalistic Mônot designs are both chic and timeless. Mônot pieces are designed to become staples in a woman’s wardrobe. 

2. When designing Mônot's Spring/Summer 2021 collection, was the creative process any different than usual, given the COVID-19 situation?

Luckily, I was in Ibiza, so I can't complain that much. I found the island to be incredibly inspiring during such a difficult time. Like others experienced, there were challenges to creating a collection during a pandemic. It also forced me to think even more outside the box, from sourcing materials to fittings to my digital fashion show.

I feel like fashion has fundamentally changed. This is the new "new." There's no turning back. Women will be even more strategic when it comes to the pieces they buy. They will be looking for timeless designs or statement pieces. Mônot checks both of those boxes.

3. It's refreshing to see Mônot's designs, which push limits and challenge the status quo. However, some of the more revealing looks might seem daunting. What would you say to someone who is unsure if they can actually pull-off the pieces?

I really think that a woman looks her sexiest when she feels confident. There is nothing sexier than a self-assured woman who knows who she is and isn’t looking for approval from anyone.

4. Architecture has been a huge inspiration behind your designs. What are some of your favorite sites, and how were you able to translate those images and emotions into your work?

In terms of architecture, what has always attracted me are those designs that have a geometric focus. I love the balance and precision of buildings that find creative ways to highlight or draw focus just by the way walls, beams, and foundations are placed. In terms of my favorite sites, well, there are too many to mention. But, off the top of my head, the Agora of the OAKA in Athens, the Kuggen in Gothenburg, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, and the Shanghai Natural History Museum...

As far as my work is concerned, I have always used the woman’s skin complexion as a key element in the design itself. The clothing and the body work together to create the overall effect. Much in the same way the architecture of a building elevates its surroundings, that is my goal with my designs.

5. Other than architecture, what else inspires you? And how do you keep yourself creative, even when every-day life starts to feel mundane? Is there a certain time or place when you feel the most inspired?

Mundane doesn't exist in my vocabulary. I’ve always been a bit of a night owl, and that’s when I’m at my most creative. When the rest of the world is asleep, that's when I come up with all my crazies and most off-the-wall ideas. I find inspiration everywhere, from a simple walk down a city street or in the pages of a great book to trips I take to museums or places that I have never seen before. 

6. You often mention the great team of people you've collaborated with in order to make your brand a success. How have you gone about surrounding yourself with good people, and are there certain qualities you look for when building your team?

Before I launched my brand, I consulted with other labels and discovered through that process the sort of people I wanted to work with in a more profound way. I have always believed that the smartest thing anyone can do is surround themselves with even smarter people. You can’t be an expert at everything. It’s essential to hire the best people, so that together you can create something unforgettable. I am always looking for team players who are ready to take the initiative and to challenge me. I am not interested in “yes-men.” They will only stifle my creativity.

7. Your designs demand a certain level of confidence and comfort with one's self. What is the source of your own self-belief?

If you believe, you can be it.

8. Being from Beirut, and then coming to New York as a teenager, both your fashion sense and mentality towards life must have developed in a unique way. How do you think your childhood experiences have contributed to your career as a designer?

I was born in Beirut and raised in Monaco, and then I moved to New York when I was a teenager. I think my design DNA is a bit of a melting pot of all of the amazing places I have been lucky enough to have lived or visited during my lifetime. But, of course, Lebanon will always hold a special place in my heart.

9. You have spoken of shopping trips with your parents as a child. Did your parents ever advise you about fashion, and were they always supportive of your individual style?

Yes, I remember going on shopping trips with my mum and dad. But when it came to my personal choices, they weren't that supportive. Growing up, I was a real rebel when it came to what I wanted to wear. I went to private and boarding schools as a kid, and I was always getting thrown out for not wearing the school uniform. For me, clothing and how we style it is an incredibly powerful and empowering thing, and I had no intention of giving anyone else that power over me. 

10. What do you believe the key to personal fashion is?

There's no right or wrong. For me, it’s really all about knowing yourself. Knowing what you feel good in and what accentuates your best features. The most stylish and iconic women are the ones that forgo trends and follow their gut. At the end of the day, it all really comes down to confidence. If you believe in yourself, then the rest, and by extension what you are wearing, just falls into place.

11. What are your future hopes for Mônot, your career as a designer, and your personal life?

World domination. This is where I get to show my "humble" side (laughs). 

When it comes to my personal life, who knows! I live every day like it’s my last. But travel will always be a part of my future. Borneo, Papua New Guinea, and Bhutan are definitely on my bucket list.

 

 

INTERVIEWED/ WRITTEN BY JOANNA NISHIMOTO

EDITED BY KAREN YABUTA 

 

related posts

NEW TYPE #13: CHENG - CHENG HUAI CHUANG INTERVIEW

"Cheng-Huai Chuang was introduced to fashion at a young age"

June 08, 2016 4:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #12: DROMe - MARIANNA ROSATI INTERVIEW

" I carry in my heart the values I've learned from my hometown - such as being true to myself and to my style"

 

 

May 24, 2016 4:00 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #30: JORGE URENA

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

May 20, 2016 10:00 AM  |  People

NEW TYPE #11: LODOVICO ZORDANAZZO INTERVIEW

TWELV Magazine sat down with Lodovico Zordanazzo during his NYC visit to discuss his new collection and unique perspective on shoe design. 

May 10, 2016 12:00 PM  |  People
BreeLayne / Designer and Actress

NEW TYPE #10: BREELAYNE - BREELAYNE INTERVIEW

April 27, 2016 11:00 AM  |  People

NEW TYPE #9: J.ELSTER - JENNIFER ELSTER Interview

TWELV Magazine recently visited filmmaker and designer, Jennifer Elster, at her studio, The Development.

March 06, 2016 8:00 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #8: MORGANE LE FAY - Liliana Casabal Interview

"Introducing an extremely talented designer"
January 23, 2016 3:00 PM  |  People
Photo by Noritaka Tatehana

Noritaka Tatehana Exclusive Interview

The talented young Japanese designer, Noritaka Tatehana, who collaborated with Iris Van Herpen to design Lady Gaga’s shoes.

November 03, 2015 10:00 AM  |  People
Photo Credit: Chris Schoonover

CHAOS CHAOS Interview

Formerly known as Smoosh, Asy and Chloe Saavedra of Chaos Chaos have always been a sister-sister duo.

October 12, 2015 10:00 AM  |  People

THE KNOCKS Takes Tokyo

Recently, electro-pop duo, The Knocks, visited Japan to perform in the ARC+TWELV party at ARC, a newly opened venue in Tokyo.

October 11, 2015 11:00 AM  |  People

CAVERNS Interview

TWELV had privilage of chatting with our friends from the band Caverns. The trio hail from NYC and are pretty much all over the music scene here!

July 26, 2015 11:00 AM  |  People

Michael Phillips Moskowitz, eBay Chief Curator & Ed. Director, Interview

TWELV Magazine had the pleasure of connecting with Michael Phillips Moskowitz, the Global Chief Curator & Editorial Director at eBay.

July 22, 2015 10:00 AM  |  People

NEW TYPE #7: EKAT - Katya INTERVIEW

"Introducing a new generation of designers" 

July 16, 2015 2:00 PM  |  People

Mai Mukaida Interview

Makeup Artist / CEO, Lalitpur.

Believes in the power of cosmetic

and lives with women in Nepal.

June 11, 2015 10:00 AM  |  People

M KOUGER INTERVIEW: Farmhouse

With the fabulous Chloe 81, the oysterrific Chloe 81 Blue Room and the recently opened Farmhouse Restaurant, M Kouger has established an essential trifecta of entertainment in NYC’...

May 19, 2015 1:30 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #6: BERENIK- Veronica Brusa INTERVIEW

"Introducing a new generation of designers"

April 30, 2015 1:47 PM  |  People

REI SHITO INTERVIEW

Street Fashion Photographer

and Style Blogger.

Loves in Street and the Beyond

 

April 26, 2015 9:36 AM  |  People

Interview: The Refined Opulence of Hoorsenbuhs

The Hoorsenbuhs name has become synonymous with exclusivity, craftsmanship, and opulence.  Once nothing more than the ambitious brainchild of creator Robert Keith, the brand has become a staple in...

April 14, 2015 6:06 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #5: HAZE Collection INTERVIEW

 "Introducing a new generation of designers"

March 17, 2015 3:51 PM  |  People

TWELV ARCHIVE #1: NORMAN REEDUS interview

February 24, 2015 6:45 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #29: JAY XERO

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

February 19, 2015 11:21 PM  |  People

Travis Bass Interview

New York’s Greenwich Village is now home to a new and amazing club created by the ultimate party planner/Pop Up Club designer, Travis Bass, called ZAZOU.

January 24, 2015 3:59 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #4: SAUNDER - Emily Saunders interview

 "Introducing a new generation of designers"

January 13, 2015 5:42 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #3: GLORIA YU interview

"Introducing a new generation of designers" 

December 30, 2014 4:31 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #28: CJ Swanton & Mariko Derpa

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

December 15, 2014 11:14 AM  |  People

NEW TYPE #2: VINTI ANDREWS - Vinti Tan and Paul Andrews INTERVIEW

"Introducing a new generation of designers"

December 01, 2014 1:42 PM  |  People

NEW TYPE #1: DEJAN DESPOTOVIC INTERVIEW

"Introducing a new generation of designers"

November 08, 2014 2:06 PM  |  People

BEHIND THE SCENES #3: KATSUYA KAMO

TWELV's Behind the Scenes takes a step back and visits the masterminds behind the camera.

November 07, 2014 4:54 PM  |  People

SUK CHAI INTERVIEW "SCHAI"

“My hands and eyes ooze desire to create when I touch something special.  When I touch the “right” fabric, I usually close my eyes and visualize all the things I can create.”

November 03, 2014 1:51 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #27: M KOUGER

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

October 08, 2014 3:01 PM  |  People

NORITAKA TATEHANA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

NORITAKA TATEHANA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

September 24, 2014 7:45 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #26: KANAMI KAWAGUCHI

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

September 17, 2014 1:24 PM  |  People

MAISON KITSUNé INTERVIEW

During their first ever showing in New York Fashion Week, TWELV Magazine and I got to catch up with the talented duo behind the remarkable brand, MAISON KITSUNÉ, We spoke with Gildas Loaëc and...

September 15, 2014 4:03 PM  |  People

MARIA HEDMARK INTERVIEW

Although Swedish transplant MARIA HEDMARK has only been in New York City for three years, her line, LINIE NYC, takes its name straight from the city that never sleeps.

September 03, 2014 1:49 PM  |  People

IKEMEN #25: LANDON MILLER

IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

August 21, 2014 7:51 PM  |  People

JAE YONG KIM INTERVIEW “CERAMIC GENIUS”

“Ceramic Genius”

 

August 12, 2014 5:55 PM  |  People

Pages

SITE BY: monocomplex©Marbles & Marbles International Inc. Drupal Development by: DivDiv, NYC
▲ back to top ▲