The Swedish Embassy in Beirut collaborates with FabricAID
Beirut: The fashion industry is currently dominated by a linear structure that is sometimes described by the words “take, manufacture, divest”. Global clothing production has more than doubled since 2000. We consume approximately 62 million tonnes of clothing globally per year, and only 20 percent are reused or recycled. In short, the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world.
The Swedish Embassy in Beirut, together with FabricAID and Moderevolutionen, held an event on March 26, 2022, at FabricAID’s headquarters in Mkalles, Beirut. The event included an exhibition that showed new initiatives from the Swedish fashion scene; a number of research projects and sustainable collections were presented; from established companies to start-ups, between different industries and otherwise competing businesses – go hand in hand to pave the way for a fashion revolution. The exhibition Fashion Revolution, produced by the Swedish Institute, also contained a manifesto that had been signed by participants and guests during the event.
Furthermore, the event consisted of two panel sessions, the first on how to do it Make fashion more sustainable: Commit to running out of textile waste, with: Rein Neiland (EU delegation to Lebanon), Jennie Rosén (Swedish Fashion Council), Maya Karkour (environmental specialist), Evelina Danielson (Mother Revolution Sweden) and Dr. Najat Saliba (environmental activist). The second panel was about Recycling of textiles: Material Cultural wear, with Susanne Sweet (Stockholm School of Economics), Ann-Katherine Zotz (White Label Project), Krystel Khalil (Berytech), Saleem Azzam (fashion designer) and Sarah Hermez (Creative Space Beirut). Both panels were moderated by Nadine Wilson Njeim.
Attendance of over 200 visitors who participated in a change of clothes activity, where guests were encouraged to exchange brought-in garments with garments from one of FabricAID’s brands that were displayed throughout the day. This shed light on FabricAID’s mission to secure a future where everyone can afford decent clothing by increasing the efficiency of collecting, sorting and distributing used clothing while reducing fabric waste. The event also increased awareness of the fashion industry’s environmental effects and challenged the status quo – sustainability is one of Sweden’s highest priorities in Lebanon.
Since no event is complete without entertainment, participants got to enjoy singer Serena El Choufi’s musical styles while discovering showcases of upcoming designers along with the launch of SALAD, a new upcycling brand from FabricAID. The event ended with a network and cocktail reception that will hopefully pave the way for new partnerships and ideas.
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Socials: @ FabricAID.me @SwedeninLebanon