Jasdeep Dhaliwal

Understanding the thoughts behind Punjabi words through narrative storytelling

"Lokh Ki Kehn Gey" translated to "What Will People Say" explores the emotional conflict of growing up between two cultures, particularly for first-generation children in immigrant families. Growing up, this phrase became a constant voice in my head, preventing me from pursuing my dreams and making me worry about how my choices would be judged by my Punjabi family and community.

The project draws from personal stories, interviews with my mother, and cultural research, making it deeply personal and relatable. The design uses phulkari pattern fabric (flower work) to reflect my mother’s unfulfilled dream of starting a sewing business, something she couldn’t pursue due to cultural expectations. I incorporated these patterns throughout the design to honour both our cultural and her personal struggles. This project offers a new perspective on the immigrant experience, showing how cultural pressures can limit personal growth, while also highlighting how this tension can empower self-expression.