It’s been a year since the tragic mass killings and abduction of Israelis by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which triggered a major escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The war that followed saw Israel launch extensive airstrikes on Hamas in Gaza, resulting in what the UN has described as “unimaginable suffering.” The death toll so far has surpassed 41,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, according to UN reports.
In recent weeks, the conflict has expanded beyond Gaza, with fighting now raging on multiple fronts.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces were “changing the security reality” as they launched ground offensives in southern Lebanon and airstrikes on Beirut, aiming to weaken Hezbollah, a Hamas ally. As Israeli officials consider how to respond to last week’s missile attack from Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah, CIA Director William Burns warned of the “very real danger of further regional escalation.”
The conflict has affected many professionals, including those in the fashion industry. However, the impact on fashion operations has been relatively limited so far.
Beirut, a significant but small fashion hub, is home to major Lebanese labels like Elie Saab, Georges Hobeika, and Zuhair Murad. While some smaller brands are in “survival mode,” trying to create a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos, larger players have managed to avoid significant disruptions. Their ateliers and stores are mostly in central Beirut, away from the southern suburbs that have been hardest hit by Israeli strikes. However, the conflict has strained delivery timelines and complicated communication with international clients.
“Resilience has become a way of life for Lebanese designers,” said Jad Hobeika, co-creative director of Georges Hobeika. “We strive to showcase the beauty of Lebanon to the world, no matter the circumstances.”
In Tel Aviv, Israel’s fashion industry continues to operate, despite concerns over last week’s Iranian missile attack. While most missiles were intercepted, one landed near the Ayalon Mall, where stores like H&M, Desigual, and Forever 21 are located, though the mall itself was not hit.
In the Gulf states, which are crucial fashion markets, there’s growing unease over the conflict. Beirut-based designers like Rabih Kayrouz have voiced their sorrow over Lebanon’s ongoing suffering. Yet, in hubs like Dubai, business mostly continues as usual, with some sensitivity to the situation. While fashion events like Christian Louboutin’s activation proceeded as planned, others have been toned down out of respect for the conflict’s escalation.
Despite this, consumer demand in the Gulf remains strong. Malls in Dubai are still bustling, and some predict a sales boom as affluent Lebanese, Syrians, and others seek refuge in the region.
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, where the war feels more distant, Riyadh Fashion Week is set to proceed without major changes, featuring gala dinners, runway shows, and other high-profile events.
However, the Middle East remains volatile. A dramatic escalation, such as an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, could spark a wider war, affecting global fashion by worsening the Red Sea shipping crisis, pushing up oil prices, and dampening consumer sentiment.
