Founded in Beirut in 2024 by Lebanese activist Lana El-Khalil, KAĪYA is a fashion label that blends thoughtful design with a commitment to social activism. The brand began as a personal project during the conflict fuelled by the ongoing war in Gaza and the subsequent cross-border conflict in Lebanon that caused mass displacement. “Between sleepless nights, organising, petitioning and bearing witness, I felt the strong desire to match death and destruction with life and creation. It was a very personal need for me. A kind of lifeline,” explains El-Khalil.
The brand integrates humanitarian work directly into its business model in different ways. During the early stages of the war, the team shut down their atelier and focused on running a school to provide shelter and resources for displaced individuals. “We teamed up with volunteers from the Beirut Marathon and took care of all their needs, from food to medical care. As the situation calmed, we resumed our work,” she tells MOJEH. El-Khalil also maintains a long-term commitment to the Sabra and Shatilla Palestinian Refugee Camp, where she hosts creative workshops for children. “Turning KAĪYA’s leftover scraps into blankets with these children is one example of how sustainability can merge with empowerment. It’s about reimagining what ‘waste’ can be, not just materially, but socially,” she notes.
Beyond humanitarian workshops, the brand supports the organisation Animals Lebanon. The Land Remembers hoodie, which references ancestral connections to the land, serves as a fundraising vehicle for the NGO’s animal rescue operations in conflict areas and can be purchased on their website.
The label’s design philosophy focuses on producing small, deliberate collections rather than high-volume fashion. Fabrics are sourced from local markets in regions like Bali, Lagos and Beirut, prioritising the tactile nature of the materials. “I don’t go in looking for something specific, I let the fabric speak first. For me, fabric isn’t just material. It’s the starting point of the story,” El-Khalil emphasises. “The change I hope to see in the fashion industry is a shift in consciousness,” she says. “Moving away from a culture of fast, disposable fashion, and toward one that values intention, craftsmanship and longevity.”
Through this approach, KAĪYA aims to demonstrate that fashion businesses can prioritise social responsibility and sustainable practices without compromise. Shop now
Originally published in the May 2026 issue of MOJEH Magazine. Subscribe here
