Designing new life in Canada

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This article was published 14/10/2016 (3604 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Yasr Alali’s passion for clothing design began when he was just a young boy growing up in Syria.

Amid conflict in his home country, Alali continued to hold onto his dream and in 2004 was able to relocate to Lebanon as a refugee where he began working as a men’s tailor.

That job got his foot in the door of the fashion world, and he was soon able to pursue his true calling — designing wedding dresses and formal gowns.

“He always believed that you can always try and you can succeed, and he wanted to give it a try and do one of those wedding dresses,” said Ed Zreim, an Arabic interpreter.

Alali started working as a tailor for different fashion designers in Lebanon, gaining momentum and experience along the way. Ultimately, after years of honing his craft, he started working for big-name designers including Elie Saab and Dany Atrache.

Elie Saab’s main workshop is in Lebanon with additional locations in Milan and Paris. A list of Saab’s clients is a who’s who of Hollywood, including A-list celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie and Emily Blunt to name a few. He became more well-known in the United States in 2002 after Halle Berry wore one of his dresses to the Academy Awards when she won Best Actress award for “Monster’s Ball.”

The starting price of some of the dresses Alali worked on was $30,000. To rent a wedding gown, clients were looking at $10,000 per night.

“It was perfect,” said Alali, now 38, through his interpreter Zreim, who added: “He was involved with renowned designers and he was proud to be working beside them.”

Alali was living a good life in Lebanon with his family — he now has a wife, Khwala, two daughters, one son and another child on the way. But as Zreim explained, being a refugee for 12 years in Lebanon, was beginning to take its toll.

“You’re really not allowed to work, so it’s all underground type of work,” Zreim said. “So the security is not there, that’s what was missing. That’s why he chose to leave because you can only do it for so long and then you need that peace of mind, so I think that’s what he’s searching for.”

Zreim, originally from Lebanon, explained how his home country does not welcome refugees the same way Canada does.

“You’re almost a nuisance on society and you’re always looked at as second class,” he said.

Thanks to the Canadian government, the Alali family was able to take the long journey to Canada a few weeks ago as government sponsored refugees. The family flew out of Beirut and travelled through Egypt before arriving in Toronto on Sept. 29. They were flown to Winnipeg, where they were picked up by Westman Immigrant Services staff who brought them to Brandon.

“He wishes this country stays safe and they stay safe,” Zreim said. “He thanks the Canadian government for their help for the Syrian families.”

Alali still has relatives in Syria, including two brothers, and another brother in Beirut. He remains in contact through messaging apps.

“It’s the worst situation,” Alali said through his interpreter. “It almost comes to the point, each to his own and they are happy for him to leave. The war in Syria is quite devastating.”

With a dream of making a name for himself in Canadian fashion, Alali made the decision to move his family to the Vancouver area. On Thursday, they caught the train from Winnipeg.

“They do have some friends and family in Surrey and he feels it’s more of an opportunity for him to continue with his career in a larger centre like Vancouver,” said Wendy Petersen, manager of settlement programs with Westman Immigrant Services.

But first thing’s first: Alali wants to get his family settled and acquainted with their new country. Once they arrive in B.C., Alali said his first priority is to learn the language.

“That’s the main priority, and to get to know the culture,” he said. “And the beauty of the place, that has a lot of effect on how to design clothes.”

Alali said he is prepared to do any type of design to get started here — men’s clothing, women’s clothing, even drapery.

“He’s hoping in Canada to get his name out, but it’s one step at a time.”

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