10 Arab women who design for a cause

The dynamic Iraqi duo Maryam Solati and Noor Salih not only became popular for their brand Lili Aiya Studio, that features modest contemporary designs, but also for their countless contributions to charity. 

With their designs, they have generated funds that support women in need through numerous charities.

Lebanese Nour Najem, founder and fashion designer of her eponymous brand, links fashion and women empowerment. Her innovative designs led her to win the Dubai Fashion Prize.

Her non-profit organization Kenzah's goal is to protect rare artisanal crafts of the Arab world by teaching the techniques to underprivileged women.

UAE-based Sahar Wehbe is the woman behind the creation of Dumye, a handmade doll company threaded with charity.

Every doll purchased allows Wehbe to gift one of her handmade dolls to an underprivileged child or orphan, who can create their own doll at one of her workshops.

Palestinian Ayah Tabari is the founder and brainchild of Mochi, a brand that thrives on the concept of supporting stitching communities all over the world.

Tabari's designs use ethnic fabrics from different places; each collection creates job opportunities for women who practice artisanship in the craft of traditional weaving.

Syrian duo Dania Haffar and Dima Mahjoub are the creatives behind the iconic "souria" gold cuff. 

Their jewelry brand For the love of Syria captures the essence of the damascene culture and their endless love for their country. 

Hoping to make a difference, an amount of the proceeds goes to different charities in Syria and Lebanon.

Luxury clothing that is timeless, versatile, and well-made can still be eco-friendly and ethical at Sadeem.

Saudi Arabian designer Sadeem Alshehail contributes to the environment by making sure her designs are ethically made as well as eco-conscious.

On her website, she indicates: "When you say ‘ethical fashion’, you think tie-dye prints and hemp fabrics. I want to make luxury ethical."

Bahraini Rawan Maki blends her environmental engineering background with fashion design to produce an all-sustainable clothing brand.

Her label is based on the use of low-impact materials and reusable fabrics to conserve the environment. 

Each piece created is coined as a “system, both aesthetically and in terms of design elements."

Known for her funky purses, Lebanese Sarah Beydoun is the mastermind behind Sarah's Bags.

Beydoun embraces corporate social responsibility (CSR) by employing underprivileged women - often female prisoners or ex-prisoners - and teaching them artisanal crafting skills.

Her brand is described as a "one-of-a-kind luxury handcrafted bags and accessories that empower both the women who make them and the women who wear them."

Syrian Yara Tlass' jewelry brand uSfuur is known for its iconic soaring birds. 

Their carefully crafted jewelry pieces, ranging from necklaces to rings and bracelets, put the "e" in ethos by helping a child one piece at a time through a charity organization named Watanili. 

The brand aims to donate parts of the proceeds to support refugee communities across the Middle East.

Award-winning Egyptian Ghada Wali is a graphic designer with a higher purpose. Other than her full-time work in graphic design, she's dedicating herself to improving the future of graphic design in her hometown Cairo.

Wali is also part of many projects aiming to save Arab cultural identity and heritage as well as fighting false beliefs through awareness.