Islam Nashef
FASHION DESIGN BA
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem
Specialisms: Apparel / Accessories / Casual/Streetwear
Location: Jerusalem, Israel
Islam Nashef
First Name: Islam
Last Name: Nashef
Specialisms: Apparel / Accessories / Casual/Streetwear
Sectors:
My Location: Jerusalem, Israel
University / College: Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem
Course / Program Title: FASHION DESIGN BA
About
Hello, My name is Islam Nashef, a 23-year-old student at the Department of Jewelry and Fashion Design at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. I am currently in my final year of studies. My primary focus lies in shoemaking design and leather craftsmanship, where I merge traditional techniques with contemporary design. I am passionate about creating functional and aesthetically unique footwear, combining form, comfort, and high-quality materialsafts
This collection explores the tension between the ego’s desire to protect, control, and impress, and the contrasting emotions of vulnerability, tenderness, and a deep yearning for love — all while seeking a renewed sense of inner harmony. The garments are designed with elements that resemble armor, evoking a modern-day warrior aesthetic. Leather was chosen as the primary material for its strength and adaptability, serving both as a durable fabric and a symbolic shield — much like skin, which safeguards the body’s fragility. The designs range from structured, tailored silhouettes that emphasize the body’s shape to looser, more fluid forms that incorporate supportive elements. A zigzag stitch is used as a functional technique for connecting multiple seams. The black-and-white palette reflects the interplay of opposing emotional forces. Ultimately, the look aims to project confidence — even in moments of inner doubt.
Competitions
Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2025
The starting point of this project began with a simple, daily observation of my pet—Johnny, my spider. I watched him closely in the habitat I built for him, and discovered that he grows through a process of shedding. It was the first time in my life witnessing such a moment: a spider crawling out of a replica of its own body. Suddenly, I was standing in front of two spiders—one, a hollow shell, a trace of what it once was,and the other, a living body in transformation and growth. A body that leaves behind a precise organic copy—a form capable of “remembering” the shape and preserving it. This fascinated me deeply. I began searching for a material that would allow me to create a similar process, to design a human-like “shedding”—between body and garment. A second skin: the shedding of my clothes. I developed an experimental lab for casting latex molds on both body and garment. Latex served as a casting material, but also as a connector—replacing stitching entirely by fusing pattern pieces into a full silhouette. This project explores the cultural shedding of my identity.
Competitions