American artist Johny Dar has used his artistic expression to unite communities since the launch of his eponymous brand in 1999. His creative work – which includes fine art, fashion and music – is hailed as the vanguard of artistic innovation today, and has attracted international acclaim across a wide range of industries and has garnered huge celebrity support. Stirred by the struggles of refugees in the Middle East and beyond, Dar called upon celebrity friends to donate their jeans to be reimagined and painted by him under the cause ‘Jeans For Refugees’. The pieces are exhibited and sold with funds donated to the International Rescue Committee, an aid program founded in 1933 by Albert Einsteen.
JD: I felt so unable to help out and make a difference when millions of people lost their homes. When I heard about their struggle and children dying, it was paralysing - but it felt utterly inhumane to just sit there and watch it all happen without doing anything about it.
JD: The first step is always the hardest step. Luckily I had personal connections that paved the way for the rest to come on board and join the cause. Still, it wasn’t easy as some really close friends chose to not be part of it, even though I was convinced they would give up an old pair of jeans – but you would be surprised, and it opened my eyes to the fact that the world is only this way because some of us choose to hold back when we can actually give.
(Follow Johny Dar's project on Instagram @jeans.for.refugees)
