A sold-out student-led charity fashion show brought creativity, culture and community together at Regent’s and raised nearly £1,800 for the Lebanese Red Cross.

On Wednesday 27 May 2026, Regent’s welcomed Li Lebnan (‘For Lebanon’), a black-tie charity fashion show organised by Oxford Fashion Society in collaboration with feminist intersectional student publication Cxntry Living Zine.  

The event brought together over 100 guests in Helwys Hall for an evening of fashion, music and fundraising, showcasing the work of emerging designer Jasmine Eldogdog and raising over £1,700 for the Lebanese Red Cross. 

Fashion for a cause

The idea for Li Lebnan came from Oxford Fashion Society President, Jaami Al-Choudhury (Christ Church), who was moved to act after seeing news of the airstrikes on Beirut on 8 April.  

Determined to make a difference, Jaami approached fellow members of Oxford Fashion Society and began working with designer and friend Jasmine Eldogdog to bring Li Lebnan to life. For the organisers, fashion offered an opportunity not only to raise funds but also to communicate a powerful message.  

“Fashion is inherently political”, explained Ebun Bambigboye, current Regent’s student (2024, Theology and Religion) and one of the event organisers. “Through Li Lebnan, we used fashion as a means to connect people’s hearts to the cause in a new way.” 

Regent’s provides the stage

The organisers chose Regent’s for its central location, beautiful grounds and welcoming atmosphere. Our gorgeous Quad provided the ideal setting for guests to mingle over drinks before the show, while Helwys Hall, with its large windows and raised dais, offered a distinctive collegiate backdrop for the runway.  

“I love Regent’s as a college”, said Jaami. “The Virginia Creeper in the quad really gives it an Oxford feel and was the perfect spot for a pre-show drink.”  

Designs that tell a story

At the heart of the evening was a retrospective of designs by Jasmine Eldogdog, an Egyptian costume designer and recent graduate of University of the Arts, London. The designs brought the evening’s message into sharp focus, using fashion to explore themes of conflict, identity and cultural memory. 

The show culminated in a dramatic Marie Antoinette-inspired dress, featuring a corset, voluminous skirt and an embroidered dove alongside the words ‘NO WAR’. For Ebun, this final look was an unforgettable moment: “there was an audible gasp from the audience.” 

And also, an evening of community and connection

Alongside the runway show, speeches reflected on the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including a personal contribution from a Lebanese student. 

Music also played a very important role, with DJ Max Wang Mod C. providing a soundtrack featuring artists from Lebanon and across the wider Southwest Asian and North African region.  

For the Ebun and Jaami, seeing people come together after weeks of preparation was very rewarding: “Speaking to attendees after was such a beautiful experience. Everyone enjoyed the show, had been moved by the cause, and had appreciated the opportunity to connect with other others.” 

Looking ahead

Li Lebnan raised £1,775 for the Lebanese Red Cross – an incredible achievement. And beyond the fundraising element, event organisers hope the evening demonstrated how creativity can inspire engagement with important causes.  

As Jaami reflected, “Fashion to me is about using creativity to show up for causes that matter to you and making a difference for people of ethnic minority backgrounds, queer people, and outsiders. Looking glamorous is just an added bonus!” 

Following the success of Li Lebnan, Oxford Fashion Soc is planning further talks, creative events and potentially another fashion show later this term – watch this space! 

The organisers expressed their thanks to Regent’s Park College and its staff for helping make the evening possible. Meanwhile, we are grateful to the whole Fashion Soc team for choosing Regent’s as the venue for such a brilliant, important, and successful event. 

With thanks to Ebun and Jaami for their contributions.