A Love Letter to Lebanon: A Letter From Our Editor | Harper’s Bazaar Arabia July/August 2023
Bazaar Arabia’s Editor in Chief Olivia Phillips reminisces about the passion surrounding the Lebanese motherland…
There are few people who are as passionate about their motherland as the Lebanese. The Italians, the French, the Americans… they’re all up there, but when it comes to unadulterated, flag-waving, tears-in-your-eyes national pride, the Lebanese could give them all a run for their money. And for good reason. Lebanon, after all, is not only a country rife with overwhelming natural beauty, but it seems – in the face of hardship after hardship – to anoint its sons and daughters with an almost innate love of life. They grab it with both hands – and if you’ve ever partied with them, shared a meal with them, or even bought a dress made by one of them, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
This August marks the three-year anniversary of the Beirut blast – a tragedy that quite literally rocked not just the capital, but the whole nation, reverberating far beyond just the country itself. The whole world felt the sadness, and then, quickly, saw the admirable bouncing back and banding together of Lebanon’s people. Bruised, but not broken.
While the political and financial challenges still abound (Alya Mooro takes a dive into the ongoing perils in Vocal Heroes, interviewing the Kerning Cultures podcasters about their new show, The Lebanon Heist), the country is still thriving in a multitude of other ways – not least, in spirit. It’s ready to show you in person; just head to any of the eight beautiful boutique hotels we handpicked – although Kfardebian’s Odom Retreat really made us gasp.
Speaking of gasp-inducing, our cluster of fashion editorials – shot on location in Lebanon – showcase all-Lebanese designers, styled by Beirut-born Senior Fashion Editor Nour Bou Ezz and shot by Broummana native Fouad Tadros – who also happened to lens our cover this month with Lebanese model Nour Arida.
Elsewhere you’ll find a mesmerising underwater shoot by Hasbaya-born fine-art photographer Lara Zankoul, Christina Fakhry’s cheat sheet of the Lebanese creatives you need on your radar, and Bazaar columnist and celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad’s ode to the Lebanese divas who shaped him.
Long live Lebanon.
Editor’s Picks
From Olivia’s Desk
Bastions of stealth wealth, Loro Piana are opening a summer pop-up in Beirut starting from 7th June and running until 20th September. Located in the Aïshti by the Sea boutique in Antelias, expect a wash of logo-free, meticulously crafted beauty.
Photography: Eva Kruiper.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s July/August 2023 Issue.
