Connecting Threads

This unique project made it possible for 12 Palestinian women from different locations in the West Bank to meet design students from Shenkar College and from the Royal College of Art in London.
In their first meeting, the women taught the students traditional embroidery techniques including motifs from Palestinian culture and presented their work to them. At their next meeting, the students came up with ideas of how to include traditional embroidery in fashion accessories. Despite the women’s initial apprehension of working with new unknown colors, they quickly fell in love with the ideas and designs and worked alongside the students on their development.
The group later met again to complete the designs and prepare model prototypes.
The mutual work between project participants showed how modern design can help traditional craft work, in developing profitable products and promoting competition.
The final products were introduced to the public in a special exhibit which was held at the Peres Center for Peace in Jaffa.

The “Connecting Threads” project emerged from the Palestinian women’s need to make products that people will want to buy, not as a donation, but from a real passion for wearing desirable stylish items with their clothes.
The project also responded to the need to help these women make a steady income, and they were taught about establishing a business and about maintaining product quality. The project had another important goal, to create market opportunities and market demand for their products, both locally and internationally.