21 Facts About Reem Acra

Reem Acra is a fashion designer born in Beirut, Lebanon, known for her eponymous bridal gown line and her ready-to-wear collection.

Reem Acra studied at the American University of Beirut, where her parents both worked.

Reem Acra's mother, Nadia, worked in the family medicine department, and her father, Aftim, was a prominent and distinguished academic, professor, public health expert, and an amber collector.

Reem Acra grew up with three brothers, Michael, Fadi, and Sari, in Beirut.

Reem Acra held a fashion show in June 1982 that attracted 2,000 people.

Reem Acra left Beirut in 1983, relocating to New York City, during the peak of the Lebanese Civil War.

Reem Acra worked as a luxury interior designer for three years before starting her own line.

Reem Acra started her company in 1997 as a bridal line, after designing a dress for a friend's wedding in three weeks, on a bet that if she could meet the deadline, her friend, would go through with the wedding, set in Paris at the Hotel de Crillon.

Reem Acra took a photograph of the dress and distributed it to the media, including The New York Times, which published the photograph.

Reem Acra then worked with 89-year-old Max Kane, who owned a factory on 39th Street in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen.

Reem Acra's brand expanded to include evening-gowns in 2003 and a ready-to-wear collection in 2008.

Reem Acra's designs are carried in more than 150 retailers around the world.

Reem Acra's atelier is located on West 35th Street in Manhattan.

In 2021, Reem Acra Arca dressed Jill Biden for the inauguration of President Biden.

In November 2010, she opened a store in Beirut, which sells Reem Acra's evening wear and ready-to-wear collections, in addition to accessories and a bridal salon.

Reem Acra's retail reach is spread throughout all major fancy international destinations.

Reem Acra launched a line on the Home Shopping Network in September 2010.

In 2014, Reem Acra designed and produced the uniforms for the American University of Beirut Medical Center, where her parents both had worked.

Reem Acra's home in New York City is a 3,200-square-foot loft in the Garment District, Manhattan.

Reem Acra owns four homes altogether, two in Beirut, one in New York and one in Nashville.

Reem Acra's label has sponsored the Federation Equestre Internationale World Cup Dressage series since 2010.