Leather master

After a 20 year career designing leather goods in New York, Johnny Farah permanently moved back to Lebanon in 1996 and plans to stay here, for better or worse. Executive sat down with him to learn more about his experience working with leather and hardware craftspeople who produce his luxury leather bags, shoes and belts, known for their simplicity and functionality.  Everything started in 1968 when he was studying mechanical engineering in Denmark. As part of his studies, he had to spend four years in a factory producing hardware. Farah spent his free time designing chandeliers and art pieces in the factory, quickly discovering that he had more affinity for design than for engineering. Upon returning to complete his college degree, a friend of Farah’s taught him how to work with leather. This led him to take the final decision of abandoning his studies and focusing on his passion, design.