My Story

Lamis Khamis's love of fashion

came from a very young age. Lamis was Born in Iraq and raised by a family of creative's and was heavily influenced by her Aunt, a seamstress and her Uncle, a famous sculptor. This creative upbringing followed Lamis throughout her early life and from the age of 6 when she arrived with her family to London Lamis was already winning many prizes and was at the top of her class at school in everything artistic and creative.

Her academic years were diverse

in the art and design world. Prior to her degree she studied fine art painting, sculpture, printing, photography, textiles, graphic design and ceramics. With experience in such a plethora of disciplines she was confused in which area to specialise for her Degree knowing her real passion was always in the world of fashion and design.

Lamis always wanted to learn

new skills and without having formal Fashion training she was still intent on bringing a different approach to the fashion industry. She felt that she needed to study something that brought out a provocative and new approach to the industry. Lamis finally decided to carryout her degree at the famous Camberwell College of Arts.

She graduated in 1995 with a Degree in Fine Art Sculpture and Ceramics.

To earn money to fund her passion, Lamis started work in a London advertising agency and as you can imagine didn't conform to the normal work dress code and would often customise her own clothing. Her unique style of dress meant Lamis was being noticed and approached by a few well known boutiques and London stores who were interested in her style. Lamis agreed to make a few small orders to keep the stores happy and unsurprisingly her designs sold out sometimes within days or even hours of reaching the stores. This success and interest in her designs led to Lamis leaving her job and starting the "Lamis Khamis" brand.

A friend suggested

that she should sell her designs in London's trendy Portobello Market in Notting Hill Gate and on her first day she saw her full customised collection bought by two famous stylists, Patricia Field of the Sex and the City series and the head stylist at Vogue UK.

Lamis's success with her brand

was much talked about with stylists, photographers, stores and celebrities all coming to Portabello to snap up any new pieces she would create. Her designs and ideas were ahead of her time. Lamis would pick up on new trends years before any high end or high street store, and some designs that were created over 4 years ago are only now being shown on the global catwalk. Lamis's drive and commitment to be the best has come from her approach to the industry, learning skills from her degree studies in Fine Art and bringing that across into the Fashion industry.

She visualised her pieces as small works of art

that could be worn season to season. Today Lamis's celebrity clientele is envy to many she knows and believes this is all down to her hard work and passion to succeed. Her unique and diverse clothing is for everyone, not just the famous.

She quotes...

'Everyone is a star in my eyes; I design for the stars of tomorrow'