Kitsch

'Everyone told us we had chosen the worst moment to start a business in Beirut. We said, to hell with the political situation. We love Beirut and right now, this is where we want to be'. Racil Chalhoub and Dalia Dogmoch, speaking to Time Out Beirut before the war.

Like many other twenty-something Lebanese women, Racil Chalhoub and Dalia Dogmoch, could have happily gone on living in London and New York, only coming back to the homeland in summer to party and visit family.  Instead, they decided to open a boutique and café – aimed firmly at the ladies – in bohemian and trendy Gemayzeh. The resulting emporium, Kitsch, confirms the emergence of Gemayzeh’s bohemian and trendy reputation, making it for Beirut what Nolita (the bohemian area just east from Soho) is in New York).

And Kitsch is certainly kitsch. It’s located in one of Gemayzeh’s many period buildings, complete with period tile floors. Inside however, is a different matter. The deep pink decor is adorned with vintage movie posters such as ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ or ‘Belle de Jour’ while a modern frilly chandelier hangs majestically in the centre. All around, shelves are filled with clothes, books such as ‘How to wear High Heels’ and accessories, including a pink badge that reads ‘I’m not that girlie’. In order to achieve this look, Chalhoub and Dogmoch confess that ‘we sat in the middle of the store with a bottle of wine, and decided where each thing should go and how things should look’.The fashion section however, is anything but kitsch, and carries everything from the latest brand of jeans from LA, to Essa, the hippest designer from Dubai. Other items include jogging suits by Torn, the brand that is slowly replacing Juicy Couture (think LA and velvet sport outfits), Liparazzigloss – with a tube that glows in the dark and many other things, including vintage Rolex watches. 

Next season, the store will be selling frocks by model/actress/designer Milla Jovovich and her partner Carmen Hawk. There’s also an adjacent smaller room – boudoir-like – where cute lingerie, retro1960s style bikinis and sexy pyjamas are displayed in a truly original fashion.  But it’s not all about shopping here – tempting as that may be. There is also a coffee room, where two friendly waiters welcome you with cup-cakes, brownies, and to-die-for chocolate banana muffins, displayed to perfection on the main counter.

There’s also a beautiful red espresso machine that looks more like a Harley Davidson motorbike than a regular coffee maker –  if you choose take-away, you’ll get the coolest paper cup in town, adorned with an ‘I love Beirut’ logo. Lunch is also served here; try the salty muffins they give you instead of bread. People have picked up fast on Kitsch’s novelty, and the word is spreading. Once visited, you’ll understand why such a place helps put Beirut on the map of cool capitals. Some of the clothes’ price tags might be prohibitive, but there are items for every budget, and can’t we all indulge from time to time in an impressively soft and tasty muffin? 

Kitsch is open Mon-Sat 8.30 am to 8.30pm. 14 Gemayzeh street 01 575175.  www.kitschbeirut.com