Arts Thread

“Backward is the New Forward” explores the idea that progress begins by looking back. Rooted in the southern landscape and nomadic ways of living, the collection draws from practices shaped by necessity, material availability, and tradition. It is influenced by my Moroccan heritage, where craft carries memory and identity. Developed in collaboration with Sidreh, an organization empowering Bedouin women through weaving, the project connects tradition with contemporary design. By reusing existing materials, it reflects a circular approach where nothing is discarded, but continuously transformed and revalued. Moving forward becomes an act of returning to place, community, and knowledge.

The project explores the world of tennis and its evolving aesthetic through personal memory and historical research. I played tennis from the age of six to eleven, and the court became a place of calm, focus and structure. The research draws inspiration from two key eras: the elegance of 1920s tennis, influenced by Suzanne Lenglen, and the bold attitude and color palette of the 1970s, inspired by Björn Borg. The collection is constructed using over 50% Italian cow leather by surface area, combined with Italian lamb leather and natural materials. Leather serves as the central material, explored through texture, structure and form. The jacket features an organic leather quilting technique developed with a focus on precision and clean construction, referencing the geometry of the tennis court and ball. The palette is drawn from tennis surfaces, incorporating tones of brown, green and white. All additional textiles are natural and made from 100% cotton. The project reflects a contemporary approach that combines craftsmanship, material research and emotional narrative.

Inspired by the Dada movement and the work of Marcel Duchamp, this project questions the meaning of a garment and what defines clothing in today’s world. Through research and experimentation, I explored the idea of humor and absurdity in fashion, using a Dadaist perspective to challenge conventional views of garments and material value. The collection is created entirely through reuse, using materials originally designed to protect and cover clothing - such as garment bags, PVC tablecloths, and adhesive tape. By transforming these protective coverings into garments themselves, the project gives discarded materials a new identity, function, and meaning.