Disarming Design from Palestine
Merging Tradition with Contemporary Design
Disarming Design from Palestine is a Belgium-based contemporary design label. Since 2024, I have worked as a coordinator and designer for this thought-provoking platform.
Back in 2015, in Gaza City, my path crossed with designer Annelys de Vet, the founder of Disarming Design. It was during a workshop organised by Eltiqa Gallery for Contemporary Arts—an experience that marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration with.
The workshop was invaluable. I developed a silver jewellery piece that reflected my identity as both a designer and Jewelry maker. I have always viewed the world through jewellery, transforming stories and emotions into wearable art. From this perspective, I created Gaza Love for Life, a pair of silver earrings inspired by Mahmoud Darwish’s poem: “We love life whenever we can – ونحن نحب الحياة ما استطعنا إليها سبيلا.”
During this workshop, alongside my silver earrings project, I also proposed a contemporary outfit incorporating Majdalawi fabric, blending this handwoven traditional textile with modern design elements.
Ibrahim Muhtadi, & Annelys de Vet, Brussels, 2025
Production
In early 2023, I made the 'Watermelon wallet’; a hand-embroidered purse inspired by the watermelon slice, a powerful symbol of Palestinian solidarity. This design became part of the Disarming Design production and collection.
In 2025, I developed the Silver Solidarity Set, consisting of a sterling silver chockers and earrings.
Today, our collaboration continues to evolve. In addition to my design work, I contribute to production development and coordination, and I represent Disarming Design at various events and activities. These roles allow me to support the project’s expansion and strengthen its presence within the design community.
Products
Love for life
a pair of silver earrings inspired by Mahmoud Darwish’s poem: “We love life whenever we can – ونحن نحب الحياة ما استطعنا إليها سبيلا.” The earrings embody this verse in Arabic calligraphy: one side reads “and we love life”, while the other completes it with “whenever we can.” These earrings became part of the Disarming Design collection and online shop.
Silver Solidarity
Sterling silver jewelry set inspired by the most iconic symbol of Palestinian identity and resilience—the Keffiyeh. Through its elegant silver form, the design carries both cultural identity and a universal message of solidarity
Cross-stitch watermelon coin purse
handmade cross-stitch coin purse inspired by the icon of solidarity of Palestine the slice of watermelon with the colors of Palestine flag, Red, Green, Black and white
Heaven & Hell outfit
outfit design made by the handwoven Majdalawi traditional textile, with cross-stitch handmade embroidery
The outfit was titled Heaven & Hell – جنة و نار, inspired by the name of the traditional pattern woven into the fabric. The design carried deep symbolic meaning—the green stripe represented Heaven, while the red stripe represented Hell. A central part of the concept was the cut shirt, which incorporated a hand-embroidered cross-stitched QR code, giving access to the history of the Majdalawi textile itself.