Earth Weavers is not your typical fashion brand. Launched in 2023 and based in Aley, Lebanon, it brings together circular design, cultural heritage, and community empowerment to challenge the conventions of luxury. 

Co-founders Rami Saad and Manar Chehab returned to Lebanon during the pandemic with a clear goal: to build something that responded to both the country’s socio-economic challenges and fashion’s environmental impact. They began working closely with women in underrepresented communities across the MENA region, focusing on upcycling, traditional craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship. 

At the core of Earth Weavers is a growing network of artisans who are trained not only in design and production, but in owning their creative process. Through the Threads of Transformation program, women evolve from trainees to independent brand owners, each with her own e-shop on the Earth Weavers platform. 

This entrepreneurial model is specifically designed to secure the sustainability of women’s income. When artisans produce their creations, Earth Weavers buy them directly—ensuring immediate revenue. The brand then promotes and sells these products through its e-shop under each woman’s name. This approach means the artisans don’t have to wait for a customer purchase to earn; instead, they can focus on creating, while Earth Weavers takes full responsibility for marketing and connecting to global markets on their behalf. 

Each piece created in the ateliers tells a layered story. Sourced from textile waste and deadstock, the garments and accessories are designed in limited editions, merging traditional techniques, like embroidery, hand-weaving, and natural dyeing, with contemporary aesthetics. The result is a collection that doesn’t follow seasons or trends, but instead speaks to legacy, care, and reinvention. 

What defines Earth Weavers is not simply what it makes, but how and why it makes it. Production is guided by circular design principles: zero-waste cutting, traceable materials, and thoughtful, small-batch releases. For the team, sustainability is a commitment woven into daily decisions, from the fabric sourced to the partnerships formed.

The initiative has grown steadily. Earth Weavers now operates six ateliers and collaborates with 39 artisans. The launch of the Eco-Vogue Academy, in partnership with an Italian fashion institute, is helping nurture a new generation of designers who see fashion through a lens of consciousness and connection. Recognition has followed: a standout piece was recently featured by Vogue Italy during Nairobi Fashion Week, and the brand was selected among the top 20 startups by Styleit and Startupbootcamp Italy. Through their Threads of Transformation program, 17 rural women artisans successfully graduated, each now running their own e-shop the marketplace. 

Building a venture like this in Lebanon, with its complex economic and logistical realities, wasn’t easy. Access to sustainable materials was inconsistent. Funding was elusive. Many of the communities Earth Weavers wanted to work with had little reason to trust new initiatives. Rami and Manar learned early on that progress came through patience, through listening, and through co-creating. 

Today, Earth Weavers connects the hands of its artisans with a global audience. Their customers are professionals, art lovers, and cultural curators who seek design that’s both refined and responsible. These are people who value craftsmanship, who want garments that mean something, and who are curious about the stories behind what they wear. 

The brand is finding its place in the international fashion landscape. Collaborations with concept stores in the UAE, pop-ups at regional summits, and an expanding online marketplace are helping Earth Weavers reach new audiences. With sights set on Europe, North America, and the GCC, the team is focused on thoughtful growth—always anchored by its community-first ethos.  

A key goal drives this vision: to empower 1,000 women artisans across the MENA region in the next four years, turning local talent into regional design leadership and creating transformative change at scale.

There’s no single definition of luxury at Earth Weavers. It could be a hand-stitched coat made from repurposed velvet. A woven bag that took days to perfect. Their message to other green entrepreneurs is simple:  

“Start with ‘why’ and stay grounded in it. Let your values shape your vision, and don’t be afraid to begin small. Build deep relationships, stay curious, and remember: real impact takes time, trust, and courage. You’re not just building a business, you’re shaping a story the planet needs to hear.”

Discover their limited-edition, upcycled fashion pieces that blend heritage with modernity in their website, and follow their FB, IG and TikTok.