Talar Zambakjian has all the right credentials and personal experiences to give others help and advice on living a beautiful life. Born and raised in Lebanon, she grew up during that country’s long civil war, and when the situation became very dangerous was even forced to live underground for a year with her parents. “I was nine years old when my family escaped the turmoil and we went to Paris for a year. When the war ended, we returned to Lebanon.
“After high school in Lebanon I studied Business Administration with a major in Finance. I graduated with Honors. I am also a MBA graduate from the Lebanese American University. I wished to become a global citizen and so I pursued an international degree which would give me opportunities to live and work all over the world.”
“At a very young age, my passion for fashion started, maybe already in my mom’s womb. When my parents hosted dinner parties at home or when I was just a bit bored, I disappeared and emerged back to the festivities with make-up, high heels and accessories, borrowed from my mother’s wardrobe. I enjoyed dressing up and being glamorous, it became a creative outlet for me.” Talar met her future husband in Lebanon. At that time he was already living in Thailand, but often returned home to visit his family. Says Talar: “We happened to meet through a good, common friend.
“Two years before I met my husband, I visited Thailand and immediately fell in love with the country and the beautiful and serene culture. I especially fell in love with Bangkok’s bustling vibe. I remember during my first visit I made a wish at one of the shrines to come back and live here. Two years later I met my husband who had already built a life in Bangkok.
“After courting for two years we decided to get married and live in Bangkok. My wish was fulfilled when I settled here in 2008.
“Although I was educated as a banker, I have always followed fashion trends very closely. Lebanon, in my eyes, has always been up to date in the fashion arena for both women and men. I grew up amongst a diverse community of people who reveled in fashion. For us it was normal to always dress up. My upbringing in Lebanon honed in on my ability to absorb what was in-trend and what to wear, and I learned how to become creative with my own style preferences.
“When I made the transitional move to Bangkok, I left behind not only my family and friends, but also a successful career in the finance world. It was a big change from being at home in Lebanon. My husband is a successful business man and I often accompany him to work functions as well as to private dinners and events.
“I noticed at an early stage, that people didn’t know my name, I was only seen as my husband’s beautiful wife and people called me ‘khon suay’ which in Thai means ‘beautiful person’. Nobody seemed to know I was a banker by profession. I decided that ‘beauty on the outside’ was definitely not enough for me.
“I knew I had a calling and the desire to be something more than just a pretty face and my husband’s beauty queen.
“I strived to create a life for myself that would empower me and other women. Beauty isn’t the only constant in one’s life. With the birth of my three children, I knew I couldn’t just accept being ‘khon suay’. I felt I was destined for something more. I wanted people to debate with me about life, current affairs, the news, fashion and motherhood among other topics.
“I am a woman who has seen and lived through a war, experienced poverty, achieved a degree and got a job without my parent’s guidance.
“I didn’t accept being just a beautiful frame to decorate my husband. It was time for me to transform and I enrolled into a life coaching program in 2014 and soon I was ready to help others. My long term vision is to be a role model.”
“After high school in Lebanon I studied Business Administration with a major in Finance. I graduated with Honors. I am also a MBA graduate from the Lebanese American University. I wished to become a global citizen and so I pursued an international degree which would give me opportunities to live and work all over the world.”
“At a very young age, my passion for fashion started, maybe already in my mom’s womb. When my parents hosted dinner parties at home or when I was just a bit bored, I disappeared and emerged back to the festivities with make-up, high heels and accessories, borrowed from my mother’s wardrobe. I enjoyed dressing up and being glamorous, it became a creative outlet for me.” Talar met her future husband in Lebanon. At that time he was already living in Thailand, but often returned home to visit his family. Says Talar: “We happened to meet through a good, common friend.
“Two years before I met my husband, I visited Thailand and immediately fell in love with the country and the beautiful and serene culture. I especially fell in love with Bangkok’s bustling vibe. I remember during my first visit I made a wish at one of the shrines to come back and live here. Two years later I met my husband who had already built a life in Bangkok.
“After courting for two years we decided to get married and live in Bangkok. My wish was fulfilled when I settled here in 2008.
“Although I was educated as a banker, I have always followed fashion trends very closely. Lebanon, in my eyes, has always been up to date in the fashion arena for both women and men. I grew up amongst a diverse community of people who reveled in fashion. For us it was normal to always dress up. My upbringing in Lebanon honed in on my ability to absorb what was in-trend and what to wear, and I learned how to become creative with my own style preferences.
“When I made the transitional move to Bangkok, I left behind not only my family and friends, but also a successful career in the finance world. It was a big change from being at home in Lebanon. My husband is a successful business man and I often accompany him to work functions as well as to private dinners and events.
“I noticed at an early stage, that people didn’t know my name, I was only seen as my husband’s beautiful wife and people called me ‘khon suay’ which in Thai means ‘beautiful person’. Nobody seemed to know I was a banker by profession. I decided that ‘beauty on the outside’ was definitely not enough for me.
“I knew I had a calling and the desire to be something more than just a pretty face and my husband’s beauty queen.
“I strived to create a life for myself that would empower me and other women. Beauty isn’t the only constant in one’s life. With the birth of my three children, I knew I couldn’t just accept being ‘khon suay’. I felt I was destined for something more. I wanted people to debate with me about life, current affairs, the news, fashion and motherhood among other topics.
“I am a woman who has seen and lived through a war, experienced poverty, achieved a degree and got a job without my parent’s guidance.
“I didn’t accept being just a beautiful frame to decorate my husband. It was time for me to transform and I enrolled into a life coaching program in 2014 and soon I was ready to help others. My long term vision is to be a role model.”
