The stunning representation of traditional hand needlework from several Palestinian regions is on the cover of the November 2023 issue of Vogue Arabia. The 3,000-year-old embroidery, referred to as Tatreez, has great cultural value in the area. It is also common in other Levantine nations, with each country giving the needlework patterns their own distinctive spin.
Tatreez is an intergenerational practice that has been passed down through the years to recount the story of Palestine and its people. Every difference in colour and design denotes a different facet of the wearer’s identity, such as their place of origin or significant life events like marriage or social standing. The importance of Tatreez to Palestinian culture was highlighted when UNESCO added it to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.
In this special edition, Zaid Farouki, a Palestinian designer, served as a cultural consultant for Vogue Arabia. He assisted in identifying the numerous cities of Palestine that are depicted by distinct designs on the cover, demonstrating how these patterns combine to produce a vibrant tapestry that is frequently seen on thobes, traditional Palestinian clothing.
The November cover of Vogue Arabia, featuring Tatreez, has quickly risen to the top of the social media share and interactions. International attention has also been drawn to it, particularly from high-profile individuals such as HM Queen Rania of Jordan, who has frequently worn Tatreez clothing, and Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian and one of only two Muslim women elected to the US Congress, who wore a hand-embroidered thobe her mother for her historic swearing-in in 2018.
The fabric and art of Tatreez stand as a symbol of resilience in a time when humanity is of the utmost importance. They preserve Palestinian culture and tell the story of the Palestinian people, just as the skilled hands of artisans have done for centuries, passing it down from one generation to the next.
Source:
Vogue Arabia
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