In Pictures

Gaza fashion show blends past and present

Aida Abu Sitta’s gowns are designed to highlight the importance of preserving Palestinian culture.

For the past three decades, Aida Abu Sitta has collected original Palestinian gowns, hoping to help preserve Palestinian heritage. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

23 Apr 2016

Nearly three decades ago, Aida Abu Sitta began to collect old dresses from Palestinian refugee camps, and redesigned them with a blend of contemporary and traditional elements.

One of the models at Abu Sitta’s latest fashion show told Al Jazeera that the goal was to preserve the Palestinian heritage that Israel has tried to destroy. The dresses are meant to represent the identity of the person wearing them, Abu Sitta said.

Demand for her dresses has been growing among both old and young women in recent years, said Abu Sitta, who recently displayed her wares at a fashion show at the Roots hotel in Gaza City.

Forced from her hometown of Beersheba, which is occupied by Israel today, she has since collected around 70 old dresses and gowns. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

She matched the hand-stitched pieces of clothing with modern colourful embroidery to create bright contemporary shawls, abayas and dresses. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

Abu Sitta exhibited her collection in a fashion show this month at the Roots hotel in Gaza City. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

Attendees paid 150 shekels ($40) in entry fees, which will go towards supporting a local charity caring for women who are suffering or recovering from cancer. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

A line of women walked along the catwalk, as the guests cheered. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

Some of the women also uploaded short videos on to social media. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

Videos of the fashion show went viral, but some of the women received criticism from hardline groups for walking on the stage without a hijab. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

Abu Sitta says she was upset that this online controversy detracted from the purpose of her fashion show, which was to raise awareness about Palestinian heritage. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]

She is planning to hold another show soon. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]