Nada Dress – Nada Hammada designed the monogram that inspired this dress. In Qatar, where I made this dress, pattern is everywhere. I learned that horoufiya is an Arabic word that refers to art using abstract alphabet forms. Arabic monograms, abstract intertwining letters of a name, inspired me to make knitted dresses with two-color letter patterns. This one-of-a-kind dress was machine-knitted, draped on a mannequin, hand-crocheted and hand-sewn with wool/rayon crepe yarn. 2012
Wearing symbols is a ritual in the Arab world – soldiers wear prayers woven into the fabric closest to their skin, and holy words are displayed on automobiles. The custom of asking a noble person for their cast-off clothing, to absorb the powerful spirit, is an example of the energy that is retained in cloth. My work is imbued with vitality and spirit, increasing the feeling of wellbeing on the wearer.”
