How to Layer in Summer with Lebanese Creative Director Halla Farhat

There are stylists who follow moodboards, and then there’s Halla Farhat - who is the moodboard. Based in Berlin by way of Lebanon, Canada, and Kuwait, Halla is a one-woman creative tornado who juggles styling, running a photo studio, and managing her inbox (sometimes). If she’s not fitting blow-up latex jackets for a Jägermeister x Pantone campaign or dressing artists for music videos, she’s probably somewhere reorganising her closet, dodging moodboard requests, or quietly resisting the urge to scream into a hanger.

Her approach to fashion is instinctive, irreverent, and refreshingly unfiltered - just like her. With a mental archive of looks sharper than most Pinterest boards, Halla’s philosophy is less about chasing trends and more about chasing authenticity. She’s styled everyone from Tommy Cash to Mykki Blanco, but she still finds time to represent BIPOC brands, call out industry underpay, and remind us that even stylists sometimes forget to get dressed.

In a summer where layering feels like an extreme sport, who better to walk us through it than the woman who thrives in sartorial paradoxes - and looks damn good doing it?

Espresso meeting in La maison cafe
“Client coffee runs are part of the job. I use layering to make the basics feel intentional. A scarf, a jacket, a belt - these tiny moves make a polo feel styled. I would wear my vintage fred perry black polo dress with my vagabond loafers and white socks. Layered with my fiorucci adidas red jacket and black vintage versace sunglasses. Sadly Berlin's weather is unpredictable, so I always try to have a light jacket.”

Next — Fred Perry Pleated Tennis DressVagabone — Eyra loafers in black
Lululemon — Unisex Power Stride Crew Socks Updated in White
Fiorucci Adidas Red Jacket
Versace VE4454 GB1/87 55 18 Shades
Between Pulls in Kreuzberg
“Layering in summer is all about strategy - you’re moving from showroom to set, and you need an outfit that can adapt without overheating. That’s where comfort meets chic. I would wear my Ottolinger suit pants that are super comfortable. Vivienne westwood puffy sleeve aramis sweater with a nice oversized shirt under, and my telfar bag that fits everything I need. And my mista black boots. If it gets too hot I would remove the sweater and be in my light white shirt with a Isa Boulder bra under.”

Ottolinger — Signature Wrap Suit Trousers suit pants
Vivienne Westwood — Cotton Aramis Sweatshirt
Urban Outfitters — Out From Under Taylor Oversized Crew Neck Tee in White
Telfar Shopping Bag Medium in Drab
Miista — Deandra Black Boots

Styling on Set in the European Heat “Shooting outdoors means battling the sun, dust, and long hours. My layering has to be lightweight but loaded with pockets - more utilitarian than utopian. Wear your airiest summer dress and a belt bag - oh and a cap if you’re on location!”

Banna Republic — Linen-Blend Seamed Midi Dress
Coach — Belt Bag With Signature Canvas Interior DetailAerie — Colourblock Baseball Hat

Golden Hour in Lebanon
“My take on layering in summer isn’t about piling on - it's about weaving textures into moments. Think coastal wind, linen layers - breezy, not busy."

Ottolinger Beige Deconstructed Maxi SkirtOttolinger — Beige Deconstructed Fitted T-ShirtTabi — Sandals in Off-white GCD Sunglasses.

Wind-Down Dinner in the City Post-Shoot

“Dinner after a long day of wrapping looks? I like to spoil myself and dress pretty. Layering in this context is more sensual - a dress and something slinky over it. I would wear my dion lee fine fork dress, shes been asking to be taken out for months now! I would pair it with my miista deandra black boots and my Mahorde black panty bag. But i’d be so tired, I’d have forgotten a jacket and have to ask the restaurant for a blanket.”

Dion Lee — Fine Fork Mini Dress Black
Mahorde — Black Panty BagRestaurant BlanketIsa Boulder braletteIn summer, layering isn’t a fashion statement - it’s a survival skill, and Halla’s approach makes it look effortless, practical, and anything but predictable.