Beautiful Dresses from Fabric Scraps Salvaged from Rubble in Gaza
KHAN YUNIS – A Palestinian girl beamed with excitement as she modelled a white dress at a tailor’s shop. Her eyes sparkled with pure joy. The dress was adorned with delicate tulle lace and paired with a veil, perfect for a special occasion.
Little did anyone know that part of the dress was made from recycled fabric sourced from the rubble left behind by the brutal war in the Gaza Strip.
Behind the creation of the dress is Amir al-Rantisi, 24, a tailor who uses his creativity and skills to prepare beautiful dresses for young girls and teenagers in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
“Some of it is made from used fabric that was damaged during the war. I select pieces of cloth and old dresses that are still in good condition to recycle,” he said.
Outside his shop, colourful garments made from various types of fabric such as satin, organza and tulle hang on makeshift display mannequins fashioned from iron rods, brightening the surroundings which are dominated by building rubble and partially destroyed structures.
Several elegant floor-length gowns are also displayed on cement mannequins in front of the premises, while inside the shop, neatly arranged rows of dresses line the showroom, making it easier for customers to choose outfits according to their tastes and needs.
The workshop is always bustling with activity. On a table near a collapsed wall, piles of old dresses await a creative touch to be given a new lease of life as special attire for various events.
The talented young man is also assisted by his mother, Nisreen al-Rantisi, and another tailoring assistant to complete every customer order.
However, amid the busyness of the workshop, Nisreen admitted that they have to face various constraints to ensure the family business continues to operate.
“We have been greatly affected by power outages, which have caused some orders and work to be delayed and unable to be completed on schedule,” she said.
But Amir found a way to overcome the problem by modifying his sewing machine.
He attached an old bicycle pedal as an alternative power source, enabling him to continue working even when electricity supplies are frequently cut off in Gaza.
His mother felt that the method was less practical because the sewing work had to be done manually – one person would have to pedal and sew while another handled other tasks.
At the same time, the cost of raw materials has also skyrocketed.
Basic items are rarely available in the market due to the still-limited shipments of goods into the territory, compounded by the worsening supply shortage.
“A spool of black thread is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Even if it is available, it used to cost seven shekels (RM9.80), but now it has reached 50 shekels (RM70),” said Amir.
What is certain is that Amir’s work reflects the resilience of Gaza’s residents, who continue to create joy and carry on with life despite being besieged by the hardships wrought by war.
Sinar Harian