See it at Fashion Forward Dubai
Eyes of the world are on Lebanon as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators demand a change in regime. Before residents and celebrities took to the streets, one fashion designer was speaking out through his newest collection.
Roni Helou is a Beirut-based designer who focuses on sustainability, free education and animal rights. For his latest line, that will be showcased at Fashion Forward Dubai, he was determined to highlight the ongoing garbage crisis in Lebanon, calling out the corrupt government. The solution? A community coming together to tackle the crisis.
Setting out to discover what might unite the Lebanese, the results of research and a survey conducted displayed that Lebanon is most united during international sports events – for example, between 1998-2004, when the Lebanese basketball team was at its peak.
Picking up on that fact, Helou focused on sportswear and activewear. He worked with voluminous shapes quilting, and details such as Velcro, drawstrings and metallic zippers. The oversized grey coat and patchwork skirt made to look as though it is made from discarded shirts stand out to us the most.
Appreciating the impact fashion industry has on the environment, he sources fabric from dead stock. Furthermore, the brand strives to be socially-conscious, not only in its production methods, which are entirely local and promote fair practices, but also through collaboration with local artists and artisans.
Photography: George Rouhana
