The Seam Zone: When Fashion Meets Identity

They use locally sourced materials and traditional techniques to create new fashion. Three designers from Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jerusalem talk identity and the message conveyed through apparel

עיצוב של נטלי טחאן. צילום: יח"צ
עיצוב של נטלי טחאן. צילום: יח"צ
25 באוקטובר 2017

 Nadya Hezboun, Bethlehem

For Nadya Hezboun, it all started with a quote by poet Mahmoud Darwish: “The land expands as much as the measure of your dream”. It was in 2012, and something about those words resonated deeply with her, compelling her to create. Not long after that initial burst of inspiration, those words were translated into a modern clothing and jewellery collection.

לקריאת הכתבה בעברית 

لقراءة المقال بالعربيه

Ms. Hezboun’s Palestinian identity was clearly evident in the collection that featured locally sourced materials and Arabic calligraphy. Recently, she returned to Mahmoud Darwish once again, and his words: “A moon will rise from my darkness”. The final result is a stunning collection, featuring dresses with Arabesque prints, typography woven with golden threads and suits made of rich fabrics.

Design by Nadya Hezboun
Design by Nadya Hezboun

 

Noora Abdeen-Khalifeh, Ramallah

Delicate blue flowers and geometric shapes decorate a shirt designed by 32 year old Nurah Abdin. Even a brief glance at Ms. Abdin’s designs makes it immediately obvious: she uses the traditional, painstaking process of manual embroidery, which lends an item a strong presence.

“I draw the pattern for each design and then choose the right fabric. After that I embroider it manually,” says Ms. Abdin, who claims one of the most significant parts of her creative process is the thought that precedes it: “I imagine a woman like my mother, who is my biggest inspiration. She is always elegant and unique.”

Design by Nurah Abdin-Khalifa
Design by Nurah Abdin-Khalifa

 

Nurah Abdin-Khalifa
Nurah Abdin-Khalifa

Natalie Tahan, Jerusalem

Like Abdin, Tahan is also drawn to traditional Palestinian embroidery and dress patterns. However, Ms. Tahan uses modern printing techniques in order to achieve a unique effect. The result is arresting: the rich colors and flatness of the print, along with the voluminous pattern, might remind one of a queen’s robe, with a modern touch.


By choosing to print the embroidery patterns, rather than produce them by hand, Ms. Tahan accelerates the creative process considerably. However, it is evident that the time saved is invested is small details, such as perfect seams and even well-crafted labels.

Design by Natalie Tahan
Design by Natalie Tahan
Natalie Tahan
Natalie Tahan