The Beirut blast on August 4 has left a legacy that will remain for years. More than 200 people have been killed, up to 300,000 people have lost their homes, and the city is left reeling from an estimated $15 billion (Dh55bn) worth of damage.
To help the people of Lebanon move forward, a sustained effort is required, and now regional designers are stepping forward to help offer support in the best way they know – by raising money through their work.
A number of designers and companies are creating pieces specifically for this disaster, or repurposing items that already exist in their collections, to help raise vital funds.
Below, we've rounded up some of the labels using their designs to raise awareness of the city's devastation, as well as money.
1. Qasimi
The menswear label founded by Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi, the late son of the Ruler of Sharjah, has already been vocal about Lebanon in the past. As part of its autumn / winter 2017 collection it released a “Don’t Shoot” T shirt, with the words written in Arabic, French and English.
This motif was first used in Lebanon in 1982, during the Israeli-Lebanese war, and worn by journalists. Handed out to those covering the fighting, the hope was that the words would ensure the press were not shot at by any of the innumerable factions.
Now, with Beirut destroyed once again, the company, helmed by the founder's sister Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, has vowed to donate all proceeds of the sale of the T-shirt throughout August to the Lebanese Red Cross. The items is priced at £115 (Dh550).
2. Ali Cha’aban x Nuna Atelier
Lebanese artist Ali Cha’aban has teamed up with UAE ready-to-wear company Nuna Atelier to launch a T-shirt inscribed with the motif “4-8-2020”, chosen to represent the date of the explosion. The sale of the tops, which are priced at Dh200 each, will raise money for the Lebanese Red Cross.
“Following the recent incident in Beirut, we have collaborated with Saudi-based Lebanese artist Ali Cha’aban in a heartfelt initiative," Nuna Atelier wrote on its social media account. "The ‘4-8-2020’ Tee is a tribute to all the innocent martyrs who lost their lives in the explosion, and a token of hope to all those still fighting for justice. May God protect you and be with you always.”
3. Shami
Further afield in New York, Lebanese-Syrian twins Kelly and Mark Shami have created three items to raise money for those affected by the explosion. Through their eponymous jewellery line, Shami, the pair have designed a tote bag, baseball cap and T-shirt, emblazoned with Beirut, written in Arabic. With prices starting at $40 (Dh147), 100 per cent of proceeds will be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross.
On its social media page, the brand told its followers that “Lebanon needs our help".
"On top of an ongoing nationwide economic downfall, political crisis and pandemic, they have experienced a devastating explosion that currently has families torn apart. Hospitals are overcrowded and underfunded," the post read. "A nation on the brink of collapse needs us more than we know.”
4. Marzook
The Beiruti handbag company is vowing to donate a percentage of all sales during August to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, an NGO that is already on the ground in Beirut. Prices for clutches start at $715 (Dh2,625).
“In solidarity with our friends and family in Lebanon, we will be donating a percentage of our sales during August to all those affected in Lebanon’s devastating incident through KRCS,” the label said on its social media pages.
5. Talar Nina
Another Beiruti label, Talar Nina, has created a series of four tote bags to raise funds. All inspired by the city, these cotton bags vary in design from vintage 1960s Lebanese stamps to contemporary line drawings. Declaring itself as proudly “Beirut made", the label vows that money raised will go to Impact Lebanon and the Lebanese Food Bank.
Although launched just days ago, these have completely sold out already.
6. Also, Freedom
The Los Angeles clothing brand has committed to giving 100 per cent of proceeds from sales of three items to Beirut.
Founded in 2017 by former Dubai resident Dahlia Hage, the company 'Unify’ dress, ‘Baby Girl’ T-shirt, and 'Free Generation' T-shirt, which bears wording in Arabic, will raise funds for the stricken city. Prices start from $73 (Dh268).
7. Louis Vuitton
French house Louis Vuitton has vowed to donate $400,000 to Unicef’s work in Beirut. As part of a long-term commitment to the organisation, Vuitton has been selling the women’s silver Lockit necklace, which has recently been joined by the men's bracelet version, designed by Virgil Abloh.
Proceeds from the sale of both items support Unicef’s work, which has now shifted focus to help vulnerable children and families in Beirut. The necklace costs €620 (Dh2,686), of which €221 (Dh957) goes directly to Unicef.
Hales' batting career
Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94
ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171
T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
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