Over the past two years, two million Lebanese have been facing dire poverty and economic collapse, more than they can tolerate since a century ago, when the country was also in economic dire need. The truth is that millions in the nation are living in poverty, and it doesn’t help with the currency losing ninety percent of its value, the current pandemic, and last August’s Beirut explosion that killed over two-hundred people. While he can’t fix the bigger problems of the situation, Lebanese couture designer Krikor Jabotian has decided to do something about it by collaborating with Beit el Baraka to launch the Flower Glory campaign of seven broaches.
BEIRUT, LEBANON- Couture designer Krikor Jabotian is collaborating with Beit el Baraka to launch … [+] the Flower Glory campaign of seven broaches to help the poor.
Photo Credit: Krikor Jabotian
The limited-edition broaches are created by Lebanese artisans this is what makes them unique to Lebanon. “Being entirely hand-made by Lebanese artisans, the broaches embody Lebanese workmanship,” notes Jabotian. The campaign is running throughout this month with all sales going to Beit el Baraka, a non-profit charity that’s dedicated to helping destitute communities with basic needs, providing access to food, decent livelihood, medical services and education.
“Flower of Glory is the atelier’s humble way of giving back to the community after all Lebanon went through this past couple of years,” muses Jabotian. “I always had a great sense of gratitude and respect for Beit el Baraka’s mission and vision and I knew that together we were able to do something about the situation, even on a small scale. Everyone should help as much as they can, as hand-in-hand, we can make a significant step towards realizing the dream of a better Lebanon.
His inspiration for the seven broaches were inspired by Lebanese women, who for the designer constitute and sustain the country. “The flower motifs, each one as special and unique as the women of Lebanon themselves, serve as a reminder of the nature of life itself, and of the country’s constant state of change: the alternation between blossoming and perishing, life and death,” he says. Giving praise to the nurturing, fighting, mentor nature of women, as well as the providers that women naturally in Jabotian’s opinion have enabled Lebanon to blossom and persevere under severe hardships.
Naming the seven broaches: Anahid, Layla, Sabah, Salwa, Therese, Varteni and Victorine, Jabotian and artisans have created bouquets of brass and pearl, of exquisite unique and respective design.
With Lebanon’s worsening situation, it’s his continuous producing of collections that as he says, “is the only thing that is keeping me sane at the moment. I will never stop!”With an Armenian work ethic Jabotian can be seen in his Achrafieh atelier working side by side his staff to create some of the most jaw-dropping couture gowns. Not pretentious but comical without trying to be and direct, Jabotian loves doing what he does best: designing and making women feel special for their big events. The young designer has designed for Queen Rania of Jordan, a connoisseur of the Krikor Jabotian brand. He got his start in fashion by working for renowned Lebanese designer Elie Saab after graduating from the École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in Beirut. It was the Starch Foundation, funded by haute couture designer Rabih Kayrouz and Solidere that Jabotian had the opportunity to show his creations. This was the conception of his own house at twenty-three, a brand that he runs with his father, mother and sister.
BEIRUT, LEBANON- Krikor Jabotian has partnered with Lebanese artisans to make seven brass bouquet … [+]
Photo Credit: Krikor Jabotian
“The Past two years have been horrible on all levels in Lebanon,” he continues. “Not only were we facing a pandemic just like the rest of the world, but, the Lebanese currency’s inflation rate is still soaring, the banks put restrictions on all withdrawals and the August, 4, 2020 Beirut blast – one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history – destroyed the whole capital, all of which is leaving up to two million Lebanese living in poverty due to the worst socio-economic crisis that the country has faced since 1920. For us as a house, the past couple of years were all about survival. our aim was to preserve our employees and hope for a better future. Therefore, the atelier worked on the dropping, toiling hours for all departments excluding production to cope with the lockdown and economic downfall in Lebanon.”
But despite the situation in the tiny Levantine nation, Jabotian seeks to give back and move forward with initiatives like Flower Glory, continuing with hope that the fashion industry in the country and that his house will endure. “We are truly thankful to all those who contributed and made the campaign successful,” he notes.
Broaches can be purchased by emailing: [email protected]