Beirut Fashion Week for the creation of jobs, promotion of local designers

The minister of tourism, Michel Pharaon, pointed out on Tuesday that notwithstanding the political instability, the country is witnessing an extraordinary cultural resurgence at all levels. Pharaon who was speaking during the opening of the Beirut Fashion Week which will last till tomorrow, noted that culture is rooted in freedom and democracy and is nurtured by intellectual and artistic dynamism. He stressed that Lebanon will remain the capital of culture and Beirut will always boast itself as a fashion hub. Yet, Pharaon pressed the need for better organization in the field to accommodate more exhibitions that showcase the creations of Lebanese designers and propel them globally. “We should be encouraging and sponsoring similar events which generate jobs and contribute to an integrated economic activity,” Pharaon said. In the same spirit, the external relations officer at the Beirut Fashion Week Organization, Claire Damaa, underlined the importance of the fashion week at this time as a boost to the designers steadfastness. “In supporting the domestic industry, we restore Beirut to the map of the international fashion,” Damaa maintained. The Organization’s CEO, Johny Fadlalah, for his part, disclosed that there will be a competition for young designers on the sidelines of the week-long event at the end of which a winner for distinguished design will be announced in the presence of a professional jury, led by the Lebanese international fashion designer, Nicolas Gebran. (Al Diyar, October 19, 2015)