LEBANESE DESIGNER BECOMES FIRST ARAB WOMAN TO BE SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS LVMH PRIZE

As the country continues to disintegrate, Lebanese talents continue to make us proud. Lebanese designer and Renaissance Renaissance brand founder Cynthia Merhej recently became the first ever Arab woman to be shortlisted for the prestigious LVHM Prize. Every year, the fashion prize rewards select young fashion designers for their outstanding creative talent, thereby enabling the emergence of a new generation of designers. Upon studying Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art and Central Saint Martins in London, Merhej followed in the footsteps of three generations of women in her family to launch her own atelier. “Her vision is strongly shaped by her experience in a female-dominated culture in Beirut and seeks to reflect the multifaceted nature of women throughout the different stages of their lives,” the prize’s official Instagram page read. The semi-finalist also took to her brand’s Instagram to share the news and urge the public to vote for her. “As a Lebanese person who often found themselves being the only Arab within global institutions - it was not lost on me the way our stories were time and time again being appropriated and simplified into tragic or exoticized narratives,” she captioned the post. “As the first Lebanese, and Arab, woman to be nominated for this prize, I take pride in representing all the incredible local talents in my country that have supported this brand and helped it thrive with their dedication, talent, and sweat. Thank you.”