Lebanese designer brings her timeless artistry to the UAE, Italy, and Australia, while championing deaf artisans and preserving the heart of handmade creation.
Beirut, Lebanon , Lea Farah, the visionary headpiece designer and founder of Centimes Bourgeois, is redefining modern luxury by blending artistry, soul, and purpose. Known for her refined, feminine designs and unwavering devotion to craftsmanship, Farah has made a significant leap in her brand’s global expansion, with a presence now in the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Australia.
At the core of Centimes Bourgeois lies Farah’s belief that beauty is intentional, something that transcends aesthetics and is deeply embedded in the stories that each piece tells. From the quiet elegance of her designs to the thoughtfulness of the creation process, Farah’s work transforms into treasured heirlooms that women across the globe cherish.
But Farah’s vision extends far beyond the beauty of crystals and metals. Her atelier has become a sanctuary of inclusion, giving employment opportunities to deaf artisans and turning her creative space into one that values both craftsmanship and dignity. For Farah, luxury is not just about the final product but the lives that are uplifted in the process.
“Elegance is in the hands that shape the piece, in the hearts behind it, and in the values that guide its creation,” says Lea Farah.
As Centimes Bourgeois continues to expand internationally, Farah’s commitment to preserving the spirit of handcrafted artistry remains strong, alongside her dedication to celebrating diversity and infusing meaning into every detail. Farah’s journey is a powerful reminder of how fashion can be both exquisite and deeply human, an offering of beauty that not only inspires but also uplifts and connects.
Exclusive Interview with Lea Farah
Q: Lea, your journey began in interior design before moving into jewelry and headpieces. What inspired this transition?
Lea Farah:
I’ve always been fascinated by the poetry of small details, the way a single curve, texture, or stone can hold emotion. Interior design gave me a foundation in structure, harmony, and storytelling, but jewelry allowed me to create on a more intimate scale. In London, where I studied gemology, I discovered the quiet world behind each gemstone: its history, its imperfections, its light.
I realized I was meant to work closer to that world, where beauty sits between the fingertips and the heart. Headpieces came naturally afterward. They felt like sculptures made to accompany sacred moments, crafted one gesture at a time.
Q: Centimes Bourgeois has become known for its refined, poetic identity. How did the brand’s DNA take shape?
Lea Farah:
The name carries my entire vision:
“Centimes” for the small treasures, the delicate elements we often overlook, and
“Bourgeois” for timeless elegance, heritage, and refinement.
From the beginning, I wanted to revive the art of handcrafted bridal adornment, pieces shaped slowly, intentionally, and with soul.
My Italian neighbor’s creation room from my childhood still lives in me: drawers of pearls, ribbons, golden wires, and old lace. That space taught me that creation is not just technique, it is atmosphere, emotion, and ritual.
Today, Centimes Bourgeois keeps that spirit alive through hand-sculpted metals, soft finishes, Swarovski crystals, antique inspirations, and a design philosophy rooted in delicacy. Every collection begins with textures, memories, and feelings before sketches or materials.
Q: You have expanded to the UAE, Italy, and Australia. How do different cultures influence your work?
Lea Farah:
It’s one of the most enriching aspects of this journey. Each region celebrates femininity differently.
In the UAE, brides embrace regal silhouettes and pieces that carry presence.
In Italy, elegance is effortless, subtle, poetic, often inspired by heritage.
In Australia, there is a love for natural textures, organic lines, and understated luxury.
Seeing my designs travel and speak their own language in all these cultures is humbling. It teaches me that beauty is universal, but expression is wonderfully diverse. For me, expansion is not simply commercial, it is cultural. It allows me to bring Lebanon’s craftsmanship to the world and to reinterpret global aesthetics in my own voice.
Q: Your atelier is known for employing deaf artisans. Why did you choose to build inclusivity into your brand from the start?
Lea Farah:
Because beauty has no barriers, and talent has no voice but the hands.
I wanted my atelier to be a sanctuary, where the rhythm of creation is peaceful, respectful, and focused. Deaf artisans bring extraordinary precision and intuition. Their world is one of quiet mastery. They feel details many people overlook.
For me, this decision was never a “statement”; it was natural. Inclusivity is woven into our process. When a bride wears a piece from Centimes Bourgeois, she carries with her the story of every hand that shaped it, the devotion, the dignity, the intention. That adds a dimension to luxury that trends can never replicate.
Q: How would you describe the essence of a Centimes Bourgeois headpiece?
Lea Farah:
A Centimes Bourgeois headpiece is a meeting point between delicacy and presence. It’s sculptural yet soft, refined yet understated. Whether it’s a cluster of hand-twisted pearls or a bold, architectural crown, each piece is designed to feel like an extension of the bride’s personality.
I work closely with materials, gold-plated wires, brushed metals, crystals, freshwater pearls, shaping them one by one to capture a specific emotion. The essence lies in the craftsmanship: the slow gestures, the layering, the textures.
A CB headpiece is not meant to overpower the bride; it is meant to honor her, illuminate her, and hold a memory of one of the most sacred days of her life.
Q: What’s next for Centimes Bourgeois?
Lea Farah:
I want to continue expanding internationally while staying rooted in Lebanon, its artistry, its resilience, its warmth. My dream is to collaborate with more boutiques around the world, create collections inspired by different cultures, and develop a line that merges bridal couture with fine jewelry techniques.
But above all, I want Centimes Bourgeois to remain what it is today:
a house that celebrates craftsmanship, inclusivity, and meaningful beauty.
A place where every woman feels seen.
A brand where luxury feels human, intentional, and full of heart.
Lea Farah’s Centimes Bourgeois continues to weave beauty, purpose, and inclusion into its handcrafted headpieces, elevating luxury to new, deeply human heights.
For more information about Centimes Bourgeois and to explore the collection, visit their website:Centimes Bourgeois.
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