Funky Arab is the Arab world’s first luxury and lifestyle brand, bringing the best of Arabic culture and style into the 21st century. Funky Arab is not just a fashion brand. It is a philosophy for open minded people who acknowledge the need not to view the world in the stereotypical way in which we are often presented information about other cultures. It is a lifestyle for people who, for whatever reason, appreciate Arab culture, and yet consider themselves citizens of the world. It is a fashion brand aiming to provide the highest levels of comfort for those who appreciate that after hard work, there must be lounging.
Funky Arab was an idea born out of confused identity. The founder of Funky Arab was born in Beirut, Lebanon just before the 1975 civil war, and spent his childhood and most of his young adult life in London where he was exposed to urban influences and western fashion. Although he had an entirely western upbringing, he grew up in a home where he ate wonderful Lebanese food, and wore traditional Arabic gowns around the house and he always felt drawn back to his Arab roots, and was proud of his Middle Eastern origins.
Funky Arab’s founder always wanted to bring the wonderful Arabic traditions that he grew up with to the west, in a way that people could enjoy. London and other European cities are full of Lebanese restaurants and everyone likes eating Lebanese food,however, Funky Arab’s founder believed that there could be a way to bring Arab style into the western mainstream. in 1999 he decided to set up Funky Arab to start making accessories inspired by Arabic style and Identity, but with appeal to a young urban target group.