While many teenagers are probably spending their summers perfecting TikTok dances and sleeping in, Sarisha Ved is preparing to launch her athleisure brand F5 in the UK.
Established in the UAE in March 2021, F5 offers sustainable hoodies, tracksuit bottoms, T-shirts and reusable face masks, for men, women and, most recently, children.
And, remarkably, its founder is but 16 years old.
Hailing from a line of self-starters (“entrepreneurship has always been in my family", she says), Sarisha knew from the age of 14 she wanted to do something mixing her eye for fashion with her desire to positively contribute to the world around her.
“Sustainable fashion is not easily accessible to the general public. So I wanted to fuse my passion for sustainability and business into one," she says.
F5 pieces are produced using Global Organic Textile Standard-certified cotton, which adheres to strict criteria in terms of transparency, eco-friendliness and social responsibility. In addition, each piece is made in factories committed to the Sedex standards of improved working conditions.
Such parameters are fundamental to her business model, Sarisha insists. “We use 100 per cent organic cotton for everything. From fabrics to zips to design prints, it is all sustainably and consciously produced.
"It took me more than six months to find the right factory; we wanted someone who was certified to the organisation's strict standards. Also, all our manufacturers are Sedex-certified, too, so they don’t have children making the clothes and they pay a minimum wage.”
A so-called "third-culture kid", Sarisha was raised in Dubai by Indian parents and was brought up to be aware of how fortunate she is. “A few years ago, I went to India with my parents and my dad told me we were going to see a school, and give the children shoes, books and pens," she says.
“When we arrived, the organiser told us the children had walked two hours from their village and waited three hours, just to get things in my daily life that I never expected other people to have to wait for. Such a small change made such a big difference in these children’s life.
"It also made me realise the things we take for granted are things other people dream of. It was a life-changing experience.”
Inspired and determined to help back in Dubai, Sarisha established Tees for Fees, selling T-shirts made from organic materials to raise money to help underprivileged children gain an education. Two years on, she has raised Dh60,000 ($16,300) for the Emirates Red Crescent.
The success of Tees for Fees showed Sarisha it is possible for everyone to make a positive impact. "Even a small change in the world, is still a change in the world,” she says.
When it came to choosing her International Baccalaureate personal project in Year 11 at school, she knew it would be a sustainable, ethical clothing brand. She called it F5.
However, the search for suppliers who adhered to her strict ethical standards took an agonising six months, much to her teacher's consternation. “My tutor was going wild at this point, saying: 'How are you going to finish this? We have one month left and you have only just found a manufacturer.' I said: 'I've got this, don’t worry.' Two weeks before I had to submit my project, the clothes arrived."
Sarisha quickly understood it was the start of something bigger for her. “It was a game changer for me — I realised I enjoy doing this. I love being able to help other people," she says.
Today, F5 offers classic pieces, which are soft and comfortable, come in neutral tones of white, black, beige, grey and light blue, and are decorated with phrases such as "Vote Earth" in speech marks, in an echo of the style created by Virgil Abloh at Off-White. Elsewhere, leggings and tracksuit bottoms have the word "Refresh" emblazoned down one leg.
Bridging the gap between functional, desirable clothing and protecting the people who make them is a driving force for Sarisha.
“Having an ethical stance is extremely important to me," she says. "I am trying to make an impact with the clothes I sell, but I can’t make that impact if I don’t help other people in the process.”
Recently, she added childrenswear to F5. "We are the next generation," she says. "And, parents can explain to their children why it's important to buy sustainable things and support ethical brands, instead of brands that just want to make money.”
Targeting anyone between the age of 12 and 30 “who loves hoodies and tracksuit bottoms and wants to change the world”, Sarisha is now taking her company to London for its first international pop-up shop, running from August 22 to 28 on Oxford Street.
“I have been going to London since I was born and can say Oxford Street is the busiest high street in Europe," she adds. "It’s the perfect spot to start.”
As part of the company's unfolding story, Sarisha has made Tees for Fees a core component of F5 and will add one fundraising project per year.
“F5 has made me think, what else I can do, what other lines can I come out with that will help others?" she says. "The whole campaign about F5 and Tees for Fees has been about how to help other people."
Still at the start of her entrepreneurial journey, Sarisha is passionate about the future. “It may be hard to start a company at the age of 15, but when it starts to work by itself, it is the best feeling," she says.
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Canada
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Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
UAE finals day
Friday, April 13
Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
More on animal trafficking
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Everton
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, kick-off 7pm (UAE)
How to watch: Live on BeIN Sports 11HD
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
