Rawan Al Sharab

Roots Beneath Silence

As a designer, the work I construct serves as a reflection of my culture, identity, and lived experiences, allowing me to communicate personal and collective narratives. Each piece I construct becomes a medium of expression, carrying a political voice that challenges perceptions and preserves heritage.

My collection Roots Beneath Silence interprets Rumi’s poem When I Die, exploring themes of transcendence and the eternal cycle of life and death. It weaves together elements of my Palestinian and Jordanian heritage, reflecting cultural identity and resilience while also addressing the contemporary reality of Palestine through garments inspired by traditional forms and symbolism.

I incorporated traditional Palestinian embroidery (tatreez) and 13th-century garment construction techniques to convey the interconnectedness of culture, life, and death.  Each garment constructed serves as an embodiment of the poem’s messages, a celebration of my cultural heritage, and a symbolic voice for my people in Palestine. My work explores the intersection of culture, spirituality, and identity, weaving together personal heritage and poetic symbolism to create a dialogue between tradition, emotion, and contemporary expression.