How Blue Meets Blue Founder Turned Her Passion For Fashion Into Humanitarianism
I’m so honored to be the face of the Fall campaign for Blue Meets Blue, not only because I got to get dolled up in some gorgeous couture pieces and imagine I was (model) Gigi Hadid for a couple of days, but really because I am thrilled to align myself with such a forward-thinking brand, disrupting the way we consume fashion in the best way possible. Check out their recent feature in Time and InStyle!
Many people, myself included, want to do something to fix some the numerous problems in the world around us but often don’t even know where to begin. Which is why I’m so inspired by Shahd Asaly for founding Blue Meets Blue – a company tackling two major issues facing us today: the world refugee epidemic, and the fast-fashion problem. Asaly took her dream of aiding the refugee epidemic, combined it with her love of Fashion, and turned it into a reality. Here’s how she did it.
Shahd Asaly, founder of Blue Meets Blue, combined her love of fashion with her dream to aid the staggering refugee crisis, and turned it into a reality. Here’s how she did it.
With her Fashion and Psychology background, Asaly thought of an idea to create a clothing line that could employ refugees. After surveying a group, she found there were women who were highly skilled in beading, pattern making, and sewing. Using the talents and skills they already possessed to create beautiful, ethically produced fashion, it was a mutually beneficial solution.
Asaly then teamed up with experts in order to bring her dreams to life. Randa Kuziez, who has an extensive background in refugee work is currently the Strategy Consultant. Heading up Fashion Design is Rakan Shams El-Deen who has designed his own line of clothing.
Blue Meets Blue is a labor of love for Asaly, who says:
‘Blue Meets Blue is so much more than a fashion line for me. We focus on helping refugees with their resettlement process (by finding employment and a network of friends), we focus on slow fashion and try to raise awareness about slow fashion, we try to change misconceptions about refugees by spreading love through our fashion, and most importantly we see this as a form of art therapy: we love seeing the artisans open up -have deep conversations, and transform through their work. Seeing how it has changed their lives has been our biggest success.’
On top of all of those reasons to love Blue Meets Blue, the clothes are absolutely exquisite. Treat yourself to some guilt-free shopping for yourself or anyone on your holiday gift list!
Use my discount code ZahraXBMB for 15% off of your Blue Meets Blue order!
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Some background: The world refugee crisis had reached a level of epic proportions in 2016 with 65 Million people displaced all over the world. These are innocent people forced to flee their homes, many of them women and children. Side note: It is sad that I have to clarify that these are innocent people, but after the Muslim Ban was enacted by our current administration, which would also keep out refugees from Muslim countries seeking asylum, I realized there are many misconceptions swirling around regarding who these people are and why they deserve our help. Also a driver behind the company, people are growing increasingly frustrated with fast fashion and its negative impact on the world. The factory collapse in Bangladesh was a pivotal moment, and consumers today are seeking out clothing produced sustainably and ethically.
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