My final collection: The Threads of Identity, reconceptualized my Palestinian customs by clashing Middle Eastern’s modest, hand embroidered fashion with silhouettes and textiles inspired by Studio 54 from the 70’s Disco era. My aim was to merge Western culture with my Middle Eastern origins to form a more well-rounded Global culture. The collection explores fluidity and drape through metallic liquid jersey while also creating contrast with exaggerated shoulders and defined waistlines. In addition, the use of laser cutting allowed me to reconceptualize traditional Palestinian embroidery by outlining some of the most common geometric shapes derived from a single embroidery motif. In turn, I was able to recreate traditional Palestinian ’embroidery’ in my own design language, therefore modernizing the technique yet still preserving the culture.
