"Rise from the ashes" is the message Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad has for the people of Beirut, emblazoned on a limited-edition T-shirt, which he released in mid-August.
Fewer than two weeks after the August 4 post explosion, Murad created the T-shirt, that became a firm favourite among his celebrity friends, with the likes of models Alessandra Ambrosio and Devon Windsor, Friends star Courteney Cox and Modern Family's Sofia Vergara all posing in the garment within a week of its release.
Since then, a host of global names have worn the T-shirt, including Canadian singer Celine Dion, German-Russian DJ Zedd, Colombian singer Shakira and Spanish footballer Cesc Fabregas.
Naturally, many stars from the Arab world have also worn the piece, the profits from which will support the relief efforts of the charity Offrejoie.
Murad explained on the label's Instagram: "100 per cent of the profits from this limited-edition tee will support the relief efforts of Offrejoie, [a humanitarian organisation that is] currently on the Lebanese ground responding to the humanitarian needs of the people of Beirut."
This week, Dubai beauty entrepreneur Huda Kattan posed in the T-shirt, as did Egyptian-Canadian actor Mena Massoud, Syrian actress Sulafa Memar and Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk.
From Lebanon, the likes of pop singer Maya Diab, actress Daniella Rahme, singer Cyrine Abdelnour and TV presenter Raya Abirached have all sported the tee.
The port blast killed at least 190 people, injured more than 6,000 left about 300,000 homeless. It also destroyed Murad's 11-storey office and atelier on Charles Helou Avenue.
Showing a glimpse of the destroyed building on social media, the designer wrote: "My heart is broken. Can't stop crying. The efforts of years went in a moment."
Purpose-built over several floors, the designer's headquarters faced the sea, and had little protection against the force of the explosion.
"Although our Beirut headquarters are completely damaged, I am extremely thankful for the safety and well-being of the Zuhair Murad family," the designer said. "May all the victims of this tragedy rest in pure peace. My heart is with everyone affected."
Murad is a celebrity favourite designer on red carpets around the world. His creations have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift, Kerry Washington and Priyanka Chopra in the past. This week, Romanian actress Madalina Diana Ghenea wore one of his designs on the Venice Film Festival red carpet.
As well as sporting the T-shirt, Jennifer Lopez was among the stars who replied to the couturier in Instagram. She wrote: "OMG ... this is heartbreaking ... I am so sorry ... this is awful ... thank God you are safe ... sending you love and strength during this time."
The T-shirt is available to buy for a limited time for $25.99 (Dh95). It comes in a variety of styles and fits, with fitted T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, long sleeve T-shirts for men and women available.
For more information or to buy a T-shirt, visit represent.com/beirut
