Choosing an identity, in a world full of conflicting influences, can be problematic; How to be? How to act? And what to believe? It can be confusing. Coming from a multi-cultural background means that you must adapt to various parts of society. One can maintain a sense of individualism by integrating each aspect within one’s character, though, the overlapping of characteristics can cause conflict between your real identity and the imposed identity of the context one finds oneself in.   This project is about that search for identity. It starts from a tablecloth made by my mother. I choose the gesture of sewing. Sewing contains unique characteristics, it is slow, accurate and intentional; I found this inspiring. Fabric is full of important cultural representation and history, making it important in the process of creating cultural identitiy and individualism. Therefore fabric can become a device that portrays the intersection of all the cultural influences experienced in one’s personal journey. It is a tool which encompasses all those cultural influences in a single object. The fabric I use will contain adornments from my three main cultural influences Saudi, Sudan, and Yemen. The fabric will be transformed to a head vail as a reflection of my own religious beliefs, which is a big part of this investigation. Moreover, this piece of fabric will serve as a cultural object that protests the cultural appropriation of traditional items in the fashion industry. As a result, it will work as a tool to distribute knowledge, while allowing for more exposure, mediated by the wearer rather than the fashion industry. A recording of the will be presented as a visual video that documents the development of creating the fabric.  This in itself is another mean of distribution.

In conclusion, this project seeks to celebrate the ethnic diversity of multi-cultural individuals in a way that advances society’s awareness, responds to imposed cultural ideas and cultural appropriation, in order help to maintain a sense of self and cultural identity.    References: History Memory Identity, contemporary photography from eastern Europe  The Art of not making, the new artist/artisan relationship, Michael Petry Clothing as material Culture, edited by Susanne Kuchler and Danial Miller  Critical studies Fashion and Beauty  World dress, Frances Kennett