Sylwia Nazzal, a 23-year-old Palestinian-Jordanian designer and Parsons Paris graduate, is a finalist for the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award at the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards, which will be held in Marrakech in October. Her collection, titled What Should Have Been Home, explores Palestinian resilience through textiles and shapes inspired by Islamic history and traditions. Primarily using nylon and silhouettes reminiscent of the khimar, she aims to symbolize the endurance of Palestinian culture, a mix of spiritual and physical elements.
Nazzal’s collection, which draws from archives depicting the harsh realities faced by Palestinians under Israeli colonization, faced resistance in Europe due to its politically charged nature. However, she found an opportunity with Fashion Trust Arabia, which offers a platform for young talents from the Middle East and North Africa. The award includes a $50,000 grant, mentorship, and retail opportunities to help emerging designers grow.
A key piece of her collection is a dress made from 10,000 Palestinian pieces, hand-sewn by refugees in Jordan. According to Nazzal, this piece embodies the essence of her work, representing a "spiritual armor" that protects and honors Palestinian identity. She seeks to remind the world that while Palestine is contested physically, it continues to exist spiritually and culturally for those who claim its heritage.
"I worked with Palestinian refugee women here in Jordan to hand-sew it, and it took a lot of effort. It’s what embodies the collection because there is this weight, this reflection, this feeling of armor, like spiritual armor, protecting the entity of Palestine."