Christina from Arts4Refugees talked with Florence- a student journalist with us. This placement was organised by Oxford University Career Services. Florence (Flora) is a third year Music student. She chose to research Céline Semaan a fashion designer and refugee from Lebanon. Flora wanted to choose a person in the fashion industry and still around today to raise awareness about them today. Since 2019, Flora has written articles for the student newspaper Cherwell.
Céline founded the slow factory to help combat climate change and fast fashion. She moved to Canada with her family in the ’80s. She supplemented her interest in fashion with climate issues. She set up the slow factory in 2012. Céline feels her activism was inspired by her participation in the Arab spring.
You can listen to the full conversation here.
Key Points:
Flora is studying Music at Oxford.
Céline Semaan is a fashion designer who focuses on climate change as well
In 1986 Céline Semaan fled Lebanon as a child
Céline moved from Canada to New York where she now lives
Céline set up the slow factory in 2012.
If you would like to learn more about Céline- there is a short story by Flora here.
