About Threads of Syria
I started Threads of Syria, a not-for-profit initiative, in collaboration with Syrian refugee artisans in the Chatila refugee settlement in Lebanon, and the enterprising members of Tight-Knit Syria. The aim is to translate silent encouragement into tangible support for the refugees by providing dignified economic opportunity through craftwork.
Each of the women refugee in the 25-strong cooperative had, on average, 23 years of sewing experience. These are often undervalued skills which we sought to shine a spotlight on.
The project is now part of the wider UNHCR’s #WithRefugees Coalition.
Conception
The Threads Of Syria accessories line started with a pilot batch of handcrafted scarves, upon which we embedded a patchwork of traditional Syrian embroidery. For our second line, I sourced organic cotton tees as the canvas for the women to stitch their beautiful work, and we created the eponymous Amal Tee, featuring the Arabic script for hope أمل.
The other tee featured the nostalgic jasmine flower, as a homage to the effervescent courtyards of Aleppo lined with jasmine trees.
