From Runways to a Fashion Revolution

It all started with an invitation I almost didn’t accept.

Back then, I was a fashion and lifestyle editor, living what many would call a dream job—front-row seats at fashion shows, glittering events, and a closet constantly rotating with the latest trends. I was invited to attend one of the first meetings of the Fashion Revolution UAE chapter. I figured it would be just another event. But that day, something shifted in me forever.

I remember sitting in that room, listening to Ayesha Siddequa share facts and statistics that quite literally made my jaw drop. Fashion, this beautiful, expressive art form I loved so much, was one of the top polluting industries in the world? The numbers were staggering. The human cost was even worse. I walked out of that meeting in complete denial.

“If this were true,” I told myself, “Wouldn’t it be all over the news? Wouldn’t there be laws and regulations to prevent it? Would people still be shopping like nothing’s wrong?”

As a journalist, I had to investigate. So I dug into it, expecting to disprove it somehow. But no, Everything I had heard was not only true—it was just the tip of the iceberg.

That realisation was unsettling. It felt like the ground beneath my high heels had shifted. So, I did what I thought would help me process it: I challenged myself not to shop for three months. No new clothes, no accessories, no fast fashion ’quick fixes.’ Three months turned into a year.

That year changed my life.

I discovered something about myself I hadn’t even noticed—I had a shopping addiction, fueled by the culture of novelty and the pressure of always being seen in something new, especially in the UAE. Our malls are more than shopping centers—they are social spaces, places of entertainment, and even comfort. And social media, well... let’s just say the unspoken rule of "never repeat an outfit on the 'Gram’ didn’t help.

But with every month I didn’t buy, I felt lighter. More intentional. I learned to love what I already owned, to mend, to swap, to borrow. And when the year ended and I truly needed to invest in a few wardrobe staples for work, I hit a new wall—where do you even find sustainable fashion in the region?

Each search was an ordeal. I would message brands and ask questions about fabrics, ethics, and production processes. It was exhausting, but I’m stubborn. I kept digging. And I started discovering designers and artisans who cared, who created beautiful pieces while respecting both the planet and the people behind the seams.

They had the heart but not the spotlight. As small niche brands, they struggled against the fast fashion giants—no big marketing budgets, no economies of scale. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword. It’s a wake-up call, and we are so late.

And from the client’s side? I knew I couldn’t be the only one looking for ethical options, feeling overwhelmed and lost. That’s when the idea of Goshopia was born. Go + Shop + Utopia—a space where makers and mindful consumers could find each other.

I curated the collections myself, building an online marketplace rooted in values, not trends. As time passed, when Ayesha needed to step away from Fashion Revolution UAE, I stepped in. Today, I’m proud to be the UAE Country Coordinator, leading an amazing team of volunteers who bring this movement to life every year through Fashion Revolution Week.

What began as a simple gathering became a life-altering moment.

This April, our Fashion Revolution Week is packed with purpose—online panels featuring inspiring speakers, an in-person networking party, a clothes swap, and hands-on workshops. Everything is free and designed to help people learn, connect, and take action.

We all have the power to change the world—one outfit, one decision, one conversation at a time.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the fashion industry doesn’t have to be exploitative. It can be healing, creative, and beautiful (in every sense of the word).

So, I invite you to join us this Fashion Revolution Week. Discover how small changes can lead to big transformations. Fashion is not just about what you wear. It's about what you stand for.

Wear your values.

Register here