The Story of MERABI
Before MERABI was a brand, it was a dream stitched together from determination, creativity, and a refusal to settle.
Unusually, my journey didn’t begin in a fashion studio. I started out as a professional hockey player for England, competing on the pitch where resilience, teamwork, and grit defined every win and loss. After 10 years in sport, I moved onto a career in events planning in Manchester, a whirlwind of long hours, endless creativity, and the constant search for the right outfits.
Even then, something was missing. I was fed up with trying to be accepted, so I changed my mindset and decided not to let the word “no” stop me. While managing weekly events and seeking something new to wear, I became increasingly frustrated by the lack of originality, poor fit, and sky-high prices in occasionwear.
So, I started creating my own pieces. Late at night, with the help of YouTube, I experimented, determined to make clothes that didn’t just look good, but felt right.
The first time I wore one of my own designs, I felt the MERABI magic (and if you’ve ever worn a MERABI piece, you’ll know exactly what this is). The sparkle that caught every light, the compliments from strangers, and the undeniable confidence it brought. That moment sparked everything that followed.
After one of my weekly events, I found myself in a nightclub wearing a dress I had embellished myself. With compliments flowing and newfound confidence, the idea of MERABI was born. They say some of the best epiphanies come while dancing on tables, and this was definitely one of them.
In 2015, NADINE MERABI officially came to life with the help of a £250 sewing machine. I quit my job and began designing clothing beyond my personal wardrobe, selling bespoke one-off pieces and hosting pop-ups. What started as small beginnings grew into a powerhouse business with a global footprint.
Paying homage to my Lebanese heritage and British upbringing, I built a brand rooted in timeless glamour: decadent finishes, custom-sourced fabrics, and silhouettes that became unmistakably MERABI. From the very start, my mission was clear: to create pieces that empower women to feel unstoppable.
Six months after launching MERABI, Selfridges requested their first wholesale order. Within 8 weeks, we went from creating one-off, bespoke pieces to designing a 12–15-piece collection for a global retailer. An opportunity that was instrumental in the early growth of MERABI and gained us traction from celebrities and influencers.
That said, the journey of MERABI hasn’t been without challenges. I have failed 10 times and got up 12. But every failure taught me resilience. Every success reminded me that nothing great is ever achieved alone. And every moment became a reminder to pause, enjoy, and celebrate what’s amazing.
During COVID, we turned challenge into opportunity by creating our now-famous DARCIE pyjamas, which quickly sold out. Since 2020, MERABI has achieved triple-digit growth in both turnover and global profitability.
From the very beginning, I’ve always designed with someone in mind, using how they channel confidence as a catalyst for inspiration. Every design is fabric-led, and the fabric always tells me what the garment wants to be. We create all our samples in-house, making sure each piece is perfected, from fit to finish.
Today, MERABI has expanded to a global presence with a UK headquarters in Manchester, a flagship store in London, and distribution across the US and Europe, with plans to grow even further.
NADINE MERABI has become more than a fashion house. Today, I’m proud to say MERABI is a global brand, worn by women around the world for life’s unforgettable occasions. But at its heart, the purpose remains unchanged: to craft confidence, celebrate ambition, and help women feel their best.
The story began with one woman and one sparkly dress. Today, it continues with every woman who chooses to own her MERABI moment. So, what will yours be?