Lea Sfeir is a Paris-born, French-Lebanese fashion professional, lifestyle influencer, and creative entrepreneur based in Dubai, where she has lived for nearly nine years. With a background in the European fashion and luxury industry, she combines sartorial knowledge with cultural fluency shaped by time in Paris, Milan, and Istanbul.

She is the founder of By Léa Sfeir, a lifestyle brand that curates artisanal tableware and interiors inspired by global aesthetics and craftsmanship — treating table styling as “art de vivre.” Her online presence spans TikTok and Instagram, where she shares fashion insights, lifestyle perspectives, and creative commentary with a large audience (over 70,000 followers on Instagram and roughly 145,000 on TikTok) that looks to her for a blend of cultural depth and everyday style knowledge.

Beyond her own label, Lea has built a reputation as a voice on style, identity, and cultural consumption in the Middle East — equally comfortable critiquing trend cycles as she is explaining how heritage and personal taste shape meaningful fashion choices.

— Dubai is very intimidating — crazy, busy schedule. How do you survive it? What do you do to stay sane?

— Now less and less events, actually. Well, I am very grounded. I am lucky to be grounded because I am married and I have three kids. My whole life gravitates around my family. I have very strong values and traditions.

For me, it may sound antique, what I am saying. But when you are grounded — when your values are about family, about tradition, about keeping your family together, about putting your kids above anything — it makes you stronger, even in your weakest moments.

This is what keeps me sane. Because otherwise, it is too hard to stay sane in Dubai. It is a city where you never stop, and it keeps giving more and more and more. You need a foundation to be strong.

— How long have you been living in Dubai?

— Eight years and a half. And I can’t believe I am saying this, because when everyone comes to Dubai, they say, “We’re coming for two, three years.” And actually, you can hardly leave Dubai. Now we know that.

When I came to Dubai, I just followed my husband. I didn’t actively want to come. I didn’t think of Dubai as a destination for myself.

I grew up in Paris. I lived for two years in Milan. I am a very European, urban girl. Then I got married, and we moved to Istanbul for two years because of my husband’s work. I was always working in fashion, by the way — even in Paris. I was always active, always working.

Then we moved to Dubai because he got transferred here. I was intimidated when I arrived. It wasn’t my first time visiting — I had come before — but never thinking of living here.

And imagine now how intimidating it is. Even more.

— Talking about fashion — I think Dubai is after trends and brands much more than Europe. Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

— Dubai is only about trends. I think people in Dubai are mainly followers. Of course, you always have some people who are trendsetters. You have people who are very creative. You do have a creative scene, for sure. But I wouldn’t be honest if I told you, “Oh no, trends are born in Dubai.” No.

Trends are born somewhere else, and here they are followed. And sometimes they are followed one year after other countries have already changed them. And when they start following the trend, it is already too late somewhere else.

For me, trends here are killing fashion. Literally. There is no other way to put it.

Who doesn’t like, for example, a leather bomber jacket? I have been wearing this since high school. It is a classic piece that comes and goes in your wardrobe. But all of a sudden, you see the whole of Dubai wearing this leather bomber jacket.

Guys, it is cool. But we don’t all need to wear it non-stop, all the time, in every picture, just to show that we are on trend.

— To forget about trends and brands and just start wearing things that you actually like — you need authenticity, and identity. And I think that is where people get lost in Dubai.

— It is true, but I get angry when I hear anyone say that Dubai has no soul or no authenticity. Dubai isn’t the problem.

Actually, I will tell you something. Dubai has much more authenticity. Dubai has a soul that no one sees. But not because of Dubai — because of the people. Usually the expats. They are killing Dubai’s soul.

First, what is the soul? How do you define it? A human soul is made of values. It is being kind, open, generous, and deep.

I think Dubai is the only place today that gives every single person who comes here the chance to build something — to fall in love, to live, to be whoever you want to be, to practice the religion you want, however you want. It is one of the most open-minded places.

If this isn't soul, then what is?

When someone welcomes you with open arms and says: I give you everything. Of course you have to work, you have to give back. But I give you the platform, the energy, the space to build your dreams. That is the soul.

When you tell Emirati people, “Happy National Day,” they congratulate you back, and say, “This is your country as well. This is your home. We are proud to have you here,” while expats are literally taking over their country — sometimes killing their values and traditions — then who has no soul?

It isn't Dubai. It isn't the Emiratis. It is the expats coming here and imposing their own games. Their obsession with money. There is a money obsession here that is killing the soul of Dubai.

— We aren't going to see an Emirati person driving a Lamborghini just to show off.

— And even if they do, they won’t talk about how many millions they have. You won’t see Emirati girls posting videos saying they just transferred one million for shopping today. You won’t hear, “Why is my card not passing? I just transferred one million.”

But this is the image being spread. “You want quick money? Come to Dubai, baby.” Easy money. And how do they make this easy money? It is always a dark scheme.

Then everyone says: there is no soul. No — it is because of them.

— I totally agree. The problem isn't Dubai. The problem is people.

— Exactly. Overconsumption. Like overfeeding an animal just so it can produce more. It is the same thing.

Brands are overfeeding everything. Every week, a new jacket. A new skincare. I love skincare. I am obsessed with skincare. But how many skincare products can you really use? How many lipsticks can you try?

You try one, two, three, ten. You are overwhelmed. You have to unbox everything, post everything. The consumer gets lost. So the brand has to spend more money to get attention. Then they say, “We need to target Gen Z. No, wait — Gen Alpha.”

Everyone is lost.

— Gen Alpha is already 16.

— Yes. My son was born in 2016. So he is Gen Alpha. Now it is all about Gen Z. Soon Gen Z will be “old.” Millennials are already in the trash, apparently — depressed, sad, old, not interesting.

They sell you anti-aging creams. Then they focus on Gen Z. In two years, Gen Z will be in the trash too. This is unhealthy. It isn't sustainable.

— How do you work with fashion brands right now? I am sure you do receive many invitations, suggestions, and gifts. How do you select?

— I once said in a story that I might be one of the stupid ones. Because I can't work with everyone.

I come from a luxury background. And luxury, for me, isn't about wearing Prada or Miu Miu just because it is Prada or Miu Miu. By the way, I am obsessed with Miuccia Prada. Because she is an intellectual. That is why I love her.

She spreads real messages. She targets youth very cleverly, but there is always a story behind everything. For example, with feminism — she never shouts about women empowerment. She simply is that woman.

So when I agree to work with a brand, it is because I am aligned with its story, its history, its DNA. My identity has to connect to it.

You mentioned Maison Margiela once. Aesthetically, it is beautiful. I own some Margiela shoes. I have a book at home about all the archives. I went to presentations during fashion weeks when I was covering them. I am very interested in it.

But I don’t identify with Maison Margiela. I am very feminine. Margiela is more minimalist, more androgynous. So it is normal that they don’t invite me — and it is normal that I wouldn’t expect to attend unless I am there as part of the media.

It has to make sense. For example, Dior. It isn't because it is Dior. Of course it is powerful. But everything Monsieur Dior did speaks to me — in my life, in my home, in my references. Jonathan Anderson made it cool on another level.

Miu Miu — I always loved it. Even before it became edgy. It has this girly intellectual side. I am a very girly girl.

So yes, I say no to collaborations. Because why would I lie just to get money?

If I was desperate to feed my kids, maybe it would be different. But if you align with your identity and direction, you can actually become more successful in the long term — financially and in terms of following.

— When I see someone advertising Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Margiela, adidas — all at the same time — I don’t trust them.

— And unfortunately in Dubai, brands often pick the same people for every single message. If the message isn’t clear, how can headquarters fully trust a region? How can they trust it independently?

The media is different — that is another box. But spokespersons should make sense.

— But nowadays you can’t really criticise. You may ruin your relationship with the brand.

— Maybe here. But in Paris — and in the UK — people speak out.

For example, Dolce & Gabbana. I love Dolce & Gabbana aesthetically — lace, romance, celebration. But I was shocked by the menswear show. There wasn't one Black model. No Asian. No Arab.

— It was the whitest casting I have seen in years.

— If no one highlights it, how would we know? Everything goes so fast.

When I saw it, I thought: I don’t want to relate to this mentality. What message are you sending to the very young generation?

I was invited to a Dolce & Gabbana dinner last year. This year, I wasn’t invited. And honestly? I was happy not to be invited.

Why would I attend a dinner of a brand spreading a message I don’t agree with?

It makes me sad, because aesthetically I love the brand. But this is where we come back to people not speaking up. To speak up, you need critical thinking. You need an opinion.

— To speak up, you need to have your own vision.

— Yes. And Dubai allows you to have this vision. What it doesn’t allow is publicly criticising Dubai as a governmental institution.

I am a girl who stands for freedom of speech. But when it comes to a country you live in, where are the limits?

If you move to France and spend your time spitting on France — then leave France. You can disagree with things. But there must be respect.

As for critical opinions in fashion — many people simply don’t have one. Or they don’t want one. They prefer a sneaky opinion.

But I am opinionated.

— If you are following trends, you don’t need an opinion. Everything is decided for you.

— Exactly. Everything is decided. Everything is “wow, it’s so beautiful.” No — everything isn't so beautiful. Please cultivate your identity. I am not saying be extremely different.

— It isn't always possible. There are so many people — there is always someone similar to you. But be yourself.

— Let’s talk about the body, for example. Every woman’s body is different. Russian girls, for example — yes, there are stereotypes, but it is a huge country. Still, many of them are blessed with height, hips, and curves. A perfect canvas.

But what happens when a trend doesn’t fit your body? Do you wear it just because it is trendy?

That is what I see sometimes. First, look at your body. I am petite. I am not tall. I am not skinny. I always wish I were skinnier — not to fit in, but because aesthetically I like it. But I have to dress according to my height, my shape, my proportions.

You can pick trends from here and there. But at the end, you have to build your identity.

When people say, “Oh, you love prints and colours,” what does that even mean? If you love fashion, you should know how to mix a print with another print. You should know how to play with fashion — not just wear black, nude, neutral.

— Well, minimalism is easy. Grey, black, white — it is effortless.

— Yes, it is easy. And I love neutral too. But it doesn’t suit everyone.

Minimalism often looks better on a very skinny, more androgynous body. It matches a certain personality.

— For example, I am very calm, not emotional, and quite androgyn. Minimalism matches me.

— Exactly. You pick trends according to what fits your style and your look. And it shows when someone spent five minutes in front of the mirror — not two hours.

— I totally agree. We all need to relax. We don’t need 3,000 dresses. We don’t need 50 pairs of shoes. We should be able to open the wardrobe, dress in five minutes, and leave.

— I mix and match endlessly. The same pieces. I wear something under, over, and switch things around. People think I have so many clothes. I do have clothes. But I reuse them.

I mix H&M, Zara, and designer pieces. Endless possibilities. That is enough. You really need to buy two or three pieces per season. Not more.

— That is basically a capsule wardrobe.

— Exactly. And even when things don’t match on paper — if you have a sense of fashion, you make them match. Yesterday I wore a leopard skirt, a white tank top, and a blazer with plaid. Many prints. It worked.

It isn't about wearing the leather bomber because Saint Laurent showed it everywhere. Copy-paste on social media is tiring. It is uninspiring. And honestly? I sometimes prefer untrendy girls with no style — at least they are sincere.

— When I see someone happy, open, sincere — it doesn’t matter what they wear. But when someone spends hours dressing and still looks uncomfortable, not sure of themselves, it shows.

— Fashion is a lifestyle. You can't love fashion if you don’t care about interiors, history, or culture. Fashion is art. Designers are inspired by ceramics, painting, travel, roots of countries, culture.

— It isn't about consuming more and more, and being on trend for social media. It all comes back to education.

— It is education. It is identity. It is what you relate to. And this obsession with money — it has an end.

We are supposed to live until 90, if God wills. So live your life with meaning. Grow. Experiment. Take risks. Don’t just follow and try to be a superstar today.