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A LIFE OFProving that a life of luxe can co-exist with a better world, we explore the exceptional endeavours of three individuals that close the gap between the

gilded world of luxury and philanthropy.

Words by Laura Beaney

Luxury leaders have demonstrated that giving away money is

just as important to them as making it, and today, philanthropy

is rampant among the well-heeled. Take for instance fashion’s

partnership with the Born Free Foundation, an initiative that

unites 22 designers from Alberta Ferreti to Vera Wang against

mother-to-child HIV transmission; another example is Chime

For Change, a female-focused movement headed by Gucci,

Beyoncé and Selma Hayek, no less. Undoubtedly, there is an

air of glamour associated with giving, and what was previously

the domain of wealthy Victorian-era eccentrics has become a

part and parcel of success, a badge of honour for the ultra-

rich. Attaining a certain level of success was previously plenty,

launching a label or opening a hotel was incitement enough

to garner high regard from one’s community, but in today’s

time of corporate mistrust, those in a position of affluence

or influence are often posed with the question – “What are

you doing for everyone else?”

The two worlds seem to sit at opposite ends of the scale.

Luxury exudes an inflated and unapologetic sense of the self,

whilst philanthropy is all about a greater awareness of what’s

going on with others. But somehow, Bill Gates managed to

convince 30 billionaires, including Diane von Furstenburg and

her husband, to give away more than half of their fortunes with

his Giving Pledge. “America’s rich have been searching for

new status symbols… yachts, private jets, seaside mansions

are so 2007,” reports Robert Frank to the Wall Street Journal.

Whilst many, like Frank, view the philanthropic efforts of big

brands with some scepticism, it is often those leading the

label who drive impactful initiatives propelled by personal

beliefs. Take Tommy Hilfiger, for example. Like many involved

with philanthropy, as the father of an autistic child, Hilfiger

drew upon his experiences and used his achievements to

become a huge benefactor of autism research. The designer

and his wife are today directors of the Autism Speaks Board.

Certainly, for some, charitable acts of giving related to social

status and philanthropy are not without conflicts. From the

Chan Zuckerburg Foundation that came under fire for tax

evasion claims to the 75 million pound donation by Russian

oligarch, Len Blavatnik, that was controversially received by

Oxford University, there is sometimes a sense of separation

between the writing of a cheque and the cause at hand. It is

perhaps this distance and lack of sustainability associated

with cash donation that has persuaded some to reset the

rules of modern-day philanthropy.

Participating with more than just money, we welcome a new

wave of interventionists that look to their abilities, resources

and social standing to become actively immersed in the

causes that compel them. Here, we examine the worlds of

three individuals that prove a life of luxury is not necessarily

a barrier between philanthropy and meaningful impact.

PARADOXNADINE ARTON

From the launch of her resortwear label, GlamOnYou, in 2008, Nadine

Arton’s career became an upward sweeping trajectory. But, the designer felt

there was always something missing. And, that ‘something’ is what takes a

woman from a flourishing fashion label to the largest Syrian refugee camp.

“I started collecting old fabrics from tailors around Dubai to pass on to

the Al Noor Centre for Special Needs,” says Arton, who transitioned from

working in foreign aid to fashion, her label now stocked by the likes of

Galeries Lafayette and leading 5 star resorts from Panama to Mauritius. As

her talents elevated her brand’s status, Arton continued to use her creativity

to benefit those around her, turning disused cloth into tools for children to

make pillowcases and bags with. Her work within the community became

a turning point, with Arton later involved with the Amal Project, a cause that

called out to her as a mother.

Amal means ‘hope’ in Arabic and the purpose of the project is to bring at

least a small measure of hope to the displaced children that take shelter in

Zaatari, Jordan’s largest refugee camp. “We designed intricate handmade

dolls and t-shirts to be sold with all proceeds going towards building an art

centre in Zataari,” says Arton. Her centres came in the form of caravans

equipped with facilities for children to play, learn, feel safe and make friends.

Seeing the Amal signage aligned with that of the United Nations really brought

home the measure of Amal’s impact to Arton, but her work was not without

challenges. “It’s not easy to get into a refugee camp,” recalls Arton, the

heightened security and UNHCR safety requirements making the journey a

test of physical and emotional strength.

The designer suddenly went from spending her days in a studio, sketching

designs, to facing the full aftermath of the Syrian war. Her level of involvement

is a far cry from the gala dinners that typically populate the luxury sector, but

the power behind Arton’s actions comes from her belief that active immersion

in your chosen cause makes a greater impact than simply donating. “If

you are concerned about the welfare of others and demonstrate that

concern by taking action to make a change, then you are a philanthropist.”

284TALKING POINT

For every one of Arton’s Amal dolls sold, another is gifted to a child in the refugee camp.

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SARAH BEYDOUN

Sarah Beydoun is the living definition of a powerhouse. In Beirut, she is

known as the sociology student that turned her Masters’ research into a

globally adored brand that rehabilitates disadvantaged women in the process.

Today, her sustainable business shapes the way for a new breed of social

entrepreneurs, forging a path for others to follow.

Her label, Sarah’s Bag, reminds us that beautiful things can be born out of the

most disparaging circumstances. Her journey, an unconventional one, began

in 2000, as part of her studies the Lebanese native conducted research at Dar

Al Amal, an NGO that rehabilitates women at risk and female ex-prisoners.

“My work with them inspired me to start a business that would empower

them and give them financial independence as opposed to just creating a

temporary programme,” says Beydoun. “Sarah’s Bag started as a fashion

label and social enterprise that allowed me to combine my passion for fashion

with the desire to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged women.”

Clearly not one to be bound by career constraints, Beydoun is in the business

of uplifting other women. Her inspiration comes from a wide variety of sources

from art and architecture to Middle Eastern cuisine and culture. Integrally, all

of the collections are designed around the skills of Beydoun’s 200 artisans.

“Their beautiful handwork inspires us to create playful collections that bring

pop culture and handcrafted luxury together,” she says.

While the life circumstances of the artisans and the bag owners are most

probably worlds apart, it’s impossible for any empowered woman not to feel

a certain camaraderie towards the producers of her intricate pieces. “It took

time to develop a reliable group and this is because some of the women were

traumatised, brutalised or depressed,” explains Beydoun. “Eventually, with

time, we had a good team. In fact, some of the women from that first group of

artisans are still working with us 16 years later.” In Beydoun’s eyes, charity is

not sustainable – she has always believed in a long-term commitment. “There

was one artisan who saved the money she earned working with us while

still in prison to hire a lawyer, overturn a wrongful conviction and regain her

freedom,” says Beydoun, and having helped to propel her artisans to the profile

they deserve, her commitment continues to transform disadvantaged women

into independent, confident, skilled individuals who support their families.

286286GORDON CAMPBELL GRAY

It might not be a surprise that Gordon Campbell Gray became a hotel icon, considering

his aunt practically lived at Claridges. But, what is surprising is the two somewhat parallel

lives that he leads. If you’ve ever stepped inside One Aldwych in London or Le Gray in

Beirut, you will surely agree that the hotelier is responsible for some of the world’s most

luxurious and architecturally inspired lodgings. On the other hand, he is also the vice-

president at Save the Children UK, a cause he has been involved with since his twenties

when he ran projects for them in Bangladesh, Morocco and Nicaragua. “Working…

at the mouth of the Ganges, I saw 1,000 children a day going through our clinics; in

some cases, the mothers had walked for two days to get there,” recalls Campbell Gray.

Throughout his life, Campbell Gray’s varied pursuits have defied limitations. In 2009,

he was faced with opposition when he decided to open Le Gray in post-war Beirut.

“I had some Lebanese guests staying at our hotel in London and they asked me if I

would consider doing something similar in Beirut… when I got there and saw the site

and what had been achieved in the years following [the civil war], I said yes.”

A lover of art with a penchant for life’s finer things, the hotelier used his position to

carve a path for best environmental practices within his industry, “The team at Campbell

Gray Hotels and our partners examine every aspect of design and operation to make

sure our hotels and properties are environmentally responsible.” And, this pioneering

attitude led to Campbell Gray being recognised for his contributions when he was

named Hotelier of The Year, 2002.

Beyond his well-documented professional merits, Campbell Gray remains highly

involved with the philanthropic work he started in his youth and is currently running

a number of projects focusing upon child labour in the West Bengal region. “I

know that we all, at every level, have the power to make a difference,” Campbell

Gray insists. “It has nothing to do with success.” And, perhaps some of the

greatest wisdom we can take away from him is prioritisation. “There are things in

life which are urgent and things which are important,” he says. “We must all make

sure in this crazy, busy, out-of-control world that we don’t forget the important.”

With the belief that business has huge potential to help tackle social issues, Beydoun has used her fashion start-up to empower the underprivileged women of her community.

Having spent more than forty years working with Save The Children, Campbell Gray divides his time between his work as Vice President of the organisation and his life as a luxury hotelier.