Aya Collection
Embroidered Prototypes Bearing Witness to Genocide
Ibrahim Muhtadi - Gaza city - 2023
In early 2023, I began developing a new line of Palestinian embroidery products called the Aya Collection, named in tribute to my life partner. This collection includes cushion covers, purses, scarves, shawls, tote bags, and more—blending traditional Palestinian motifs with a contemporary aesthetic.
The collection was the result of months of dedicated work, including design development, color testing, and collaboration with skilled embroiderers and tailors in Gaza. Together, we brought the pieces to life with care and creativity.
By July–August 2023, the collection was complete, and I carefully documented each item from a small home studio I set up for photography and promotion. Sadly, just a few months later, in December 2023, my home and studio were destroyed in the war on Gaza, and all prototypes and materials were lost. What remains is the memory of a collection deeply rooted in heritage, and memory of the homeland.
Production
Prototypes
“On this land “ Scarf
A carefully crafted scarf featuring detailed handmade cross-stitch embroidery. One side showcases a stitched interpretation of Mahmoud Darwish’s celebrated verse “On this land, what is worth living for”, while the opposite side is inspired by traditional Palestinian patterns arranged in a contemporary design.
“We Love Life” Scarf
A carefully crafted scarf featuring detailed handmade cross-stitch embroidery. One side displays a stitched interpretation of the verse “We love life whenever we can,” while the opposite side incorporates traditional Palestinian patterns designed in contemporary colors and a modern layout.
Life Scarf
A collection of scarves that reimagines traditional Palestinian embroidery through vivid spring and summer colours and contemporary compositions. Inspired by heritage patterns yet interpreted with a fresh visual spirit, the pieces blend tradition and modernity, transforming traditional motifs into expressive wearable pieces.
Purses & Cases
Watermelon
Handmade embroidered coin purse inspired by the watermelon as a symbol of solidarity with Palestine, carrying the red, black, green, and white colours of the Palestinian flag.
Material: Cotton
Size: 11 × 7 cm
Orange
Handmade embroidered coin purse inspired by the orange as a symbol of connection to the land of Palestine, often remembered as the “land of sad oranges.” Through vibrant stitching and contemporary craftsmanship, the piece reflects memory, land, and identity.
Material: Cotton
Size: 11 × 7 cm
Cypress garden
Small handmade embroidered purse inspired by the cypress motif, reimagined through repetition and layered in vibrant colours. The pattern unfolds like a contemporary garden, where traditional forms are translated into a rhythmic visual composition.
Material: Cotton
Size: 19.5 × 13 cm
Asdod Purse
Handmade embroidered make-up bag inspired by an actual fragment of the embroidery of the traditional Palestinian Asdod thoub/dress . The design reinterprets this heritage motif, preserving its cultural memory while translating it into a functional everyday object.
Material: Cotton
Size: 19.5 × 13 cm
Mountains set
Handmade embroidered set of multifunctional purse and phone holder inspired by Palestinian mountain motifs. Traditional patterns are reinterpreted through gradient stitching, adding a contemporary rhythm and colour transitions. The design merges heritage and modernity, turning cultural memory into functional objects of identity.
Keffiyeh pattern set
Purse and passport cover set inspired by the iconic Keffiyeh pattern, merged with red and green rose motifs in a contemporary interpretation of Palestinian heritage. The design blends tradition with modern aesthetics, transforming familiar cultural symbols into vibrant everyday objects of identity, movement, and memory.
Cushions
Gaza V-Pattern
Handmade embroidered cushion cover on cotton. Through a contemporary use of traditional patterns and vibrant colours, the piece reinterprets heritage into a modern visual language, carrying both craftsmanship and cultural memory.
Material: Cotton
Size: 50 × 30 cm
Extended feathers
Handmade embroidered cushion cover on cotton. Through a contemporary use of traditional patterns and vibrant colours, the piece reinterprets heritage into a modern visual language, carrying both craftsmanship and cultural memory.
Material: Cotton
Size: 50 × 30 cm
Heritage stripes
Handmade embroidered cushion cover on cotton. Through a contemporary use of traditional patterns and vibrant colours, the piece reinterprets heritage into a modern visual language, carrying both craftsmanship and cultural memory.
Material: Cotton
Size: 50 × 30 cm
Contemporary long Beige
Handmade embroidered cushion cover on cotton. Through a contemporary use of traditional patterns and vibrant colours, the piece reinterprets heritage into a modern visual language, carrying both craftsmanship and cultural memory.
Material: Cotton
Size: 70 × 30 cm
Contemporary long Blue
Handmade embroidered cushion cover on cotton. Through a contemporary use of traditional patterns and vibrant colours, the piece reinterprets heritage into a modern visual language, carrying both craftsmanship and cultural memory.
Material: Cotton
Size: 70 × 30 cm