HE Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), inaugurated the fourth edition of the “Designs of Hope” charity fashion exhibition in support of “teacHER” campaign at Dubai Ladies Club on Tuesday the 13th of June. The event was also attended by Lamia Abdulaziz Khan, Director of Dubai Ladies Club, alongside TV presenters Lojain Omran and Mahira Abdel Aziz, and actress Mayssa Maghrebi.

The proceeds of the event will be dedicated to the Al Manal Humanitarian Initiative’s “teacHER” campaign, launched in collaboration with Dubai Cares to support children’s education in Egypt, Nepal and Senegal.

The “teacHER” campaign reflects the goals and values of the UAE’s ‘Year of Giving’, which was launched earlier this year by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and in response to the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to organise initiatives and activities that promote a sense of charity and giving during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

HE Shamsa Saleh, said: “Today we begin implementing our global “teacHER” campaign under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Her Highness has always prioritised charitable initiatives and activities and actively supports an ethos of giving and humanitarian work, both inside and outside of the UAE.”

HE Shamsa Saleh emphasised that the “teacHER” campaign will be added to the long list of humanitarian initiatives launched by the UAE, and is designed to support education – a key global concern – particularly amongst children and girls, which continues to be a challenge in many developing countries. HE also highlighted that this initiative promotes the UAE’s global standing and reflects its considerable efforts to achieve the United Nations’ fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

Lojain Omran, donating a piece of jewellery at the Designs of Hope- in support of teacHER campaign

HE Shamsa Saleh concluded: “A solid educational foundation is a crucial aspect in improving the quality of life of people worldwide, and a driver of sustainability. The “teacHER” campaign was launched by the Al Manal Humanitarian Initiative, in line with the strong belief of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and founder of Dubai Cares, in education as a universal right and the key to a better future. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum aspires to support children worldwide, regardless of their gender, race or religious background, to enable them to contribute positively to their communities in the future.”

The “teacHER” campaign consists of several factors, including building elementary schools, training teachers, and motivating children- particularly girls- to enrol in schools and continue their education, helping them to lead more fulfilling lives.

The fourth ‘Designs of Hope’ charity fashion exhibition is the largest yet, organised by, and being held at Dubai Ladies Club until June the 15th. It features one-thousad unique and exclusive abayas and kaftans, which have been donated by 25 distinguished UAE designers to support the “teacHER” campaign. Lojain Omran also donated 20 jewellery pieces, in support of the initiative. A large number of visitors from across the UAE attended the opening of the exhibition, alongside designers and media.

Crowds on the first day of Designs of Hope charity exhibition at Dubai Ladies Club.

The exhibition, which is being supported by Gold Sponsor, Emirates Hospital, and Exclusive Jewellery Sponsor, Damas, to Food and Beverage Sponsor, Gossip Café and Desserts, and Sponsor, Coco Jalila. This features exclusive collections from designers including: Fary, Bougussa, Huda Alnuaimi, to Nabrman; Anatomi, 1001, as well as Designers Empire, Elna Line, Moza Collection. Also Slouchy’s, R-Design, Thobe by Zahy, to Hessa Falasi, Wings Collection, Lamsty, Nafs, Fooladi, as well as THREE dots, Nigwah, The Wrap, Ego, also El Ilham, BINT THANI, Be You and Fatma with Love. The exhibition is open daily from 10pm – 1am.

Commenting on the event, Lamia Abdulaziz Khan, Director of Dubai Ladies Club, said that the Club is very proud to be organising and hosting this event, which has supported various humanitarian causes since its foundation. She highlighted the “teacHER” initiative as another key cause supported by the exhibition, which will address an important global issue, by transforming the lives of children, and girls in particular.

She said: Through the ‘Designs of Hope’ exhibition, Dubai Ladies Club is actively supporting the humanitarian vision of Her Highness Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We are very grateful for the commitment of these designers to the cause and goals behind this event. The vast number of high quality items they have donated will no doubt help in making the exhibition a success during the Holy Month. Their generous donations will help to provide hope by allowing more girls to access a good education, guaranteeing a better future for generations to come.

Lamia Khan added: “I’d like to thank the 25 designers who are participating in “Designs of Hope” and have donated their beautiful pieces to support the “teacHER” campaign. Some of the designers have been participating in this event for the past four years. Their donation reflects the deeply engraved culture of giving and generosity across our society in the UAE, which never hesitates to extend a helping hand to countries around the world.”

H.E. Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment; Lamia Khan-Director of Dubai Ladies Club, Maitha Shuaib- Marketing and Events Manager at Dubai Ladies Club with TV presenter Lojain Omran and actress Mayssa Maghrebi during the opening of ‘Designs of Hope’ charity exhibition