Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
While most fashion designers add girly bows to their clothing for a feminine touch, style and fashion blogger Reem BuQais-Rivera uses her little pretty pieces to spread smiles and goodwill across the kingdom … and to assist a society which helps orphans.
The 24-year-old fashionista, from Saar, who won Bahrain’s Top Stylist competition over the summer, had used her trendy prowess to unveil her first tropical-inspired 2014 Resort collection at Shaikha Farah bint Khalid Al Khalifa’s eclectic Green Diamond store in Seef in August.
Using leftover fabric from her collection, the New York Fashion Institute of Technology graduate, began to make girlie bows to be used as accessories.
After posting the cute creations on Instagram, a social media site, she received rave reviews which got her thinking that perhaps there was more to the bows than meets the eye and they could be used to raise awareness and funds for a good cause.
Reem said: “I posted a photo of the bow and got great feedback and so many people wanted me to make them one. That’s when I decided to start The Bow Project.
“It’s a line of carefully handcrafted bows designed to complement a variety of different outfits that’s also befitting of any style. I sew the bows myself and they come in different colours and patterns that can easily be pinned on clothing and accessories.”
In an bid to give back something to the community, Reem decided to go one step further with her beautiful bows by making a donation from each sale to Al Sanabel Orphans Care Society in Busaiteen.
She said: “I picked Al Sanabel Orphans Care Society because it takes care of the holistic needs of orphans.”
The society has been operating in Bahrain for 13 years lending orphans a helping hand with their educational, social and entertainment needs. There are 400 families with more than 800 orphaned boys and girls, from newborns to university students, registered.
Aisha Abdulla, the society’s follow-up specialist, from Galali, said: “These children do not have fathers and live with their mums, grandmothers, aunts or uncles.
“Whatever they would normally get from their father, we make sure to provide them with. We help them with anything they require as in finding a residence, paying school tuition fees or even purchasing items for their homes such as a refrigerator or AC unit.
“We also organise fun day outs for them and also provide each family with a monthly wage. Depending on the family’s situation the monthly amount could be a minimum of BD20 per orphan up to BD60 per orphan.
“What Reem is doing to help our children is wonderful. She is working hard to create publicity in order to aid our orphans and we are happy to be working with her on this. Whatever we get will be great. It’s more than enough that she is even spreading the word about our society. Every little bit helps and we thank her for what she is doing.”
The bow project, which started last month, will continue until the end of the year to allow further purchases and donations. Reem will be accepting donations for her bows for BD10 and above.
For details, email reembuqaisrivera@gmail.com or Whatsapp 35091727.
