The unfortunate explosion, along with the pandemic, banking collapse, and the protests against the Lebanese government, has had a major toll on Beirut. People lost loved ones, finding unidentified dead bodies with no traces of who they’re searching for. Also, their homes and workstations have been demolished to pieces. In times like this, the fashion designers of Beirut are taking various initiatives in hopes for a miraculous improvement of the circumstances.
It’s not that the blast didn’t have an impact on designers themselves, because it did. Mukhi Sisters – Maya, Meena, and Zeenat – are jewellery designers whose workshop got destroyed and Roni Helou, a young designer, lost his home and studio. Hala Taya, an excellent jewellery designer and female entrepreneur, lost her life to the national emergency and her pieces of work are now being auctioned under ‘Keep Lebanon Close to Your Heart’ for donations to help the community survive this horrific accident.
However, the people of Lebanon grew up with a sense of unpredictability, even though Beirut is known to be a focal point of fashion in the Middle East, which made them self-reliant in times of crisis. Designers, such as Salim Azzam, announced that they’d be providing shelter to victims. Azzam was also seen helping civilians on the streets and encouraging everyone on social media to do so, while the Mukhi siblings were giving away almost half of their sales to the Lebanon food bank.
The entire scenario is appalling but the unity amongst the Lebanese is what keeps them motivated to keep working tirelessly. Not just that, organizations, such as Vogue, have been given information on how to contribute so that the donations directly benefit the people of Beirut. Moreover, everyone around the globe are being asked to lend a hand by supporting and buying from the city’s best designers on MatchesFashion.com, the money from which will facilitate their community.
Beirut is the land of culture and critically acclaimed wardrobe and jewellery. But in a split second, the whole world saw it crumble. However, the attention and empathy on an international level can assist to rebuild their capital. Designers are selling their products of creativity and imagination, and it is now up to all of us to help them endure this catastrophe.
