I first crossed paths with Sineen at Istanbul Modest Fashion Week, where she had journeyed all the way from Jaffa, Palestine, to make her debut on the runway as a designer. Her collection was a heartfelt tribute to her homeland, featuring haute couture pieces inspired by the colours of the Palestinian flag and the symbol of resilience, the keffiyeh. After the models walked the runway, Sineen stepped forward, bowing with a peace sign, the keffiyeh draped over her shoulders, and a big smile on her face.
Traveling from Palestine was no small feat—it involved several stopovers, countless challenges, and heavy suitcases filled with everything needed to present a haute couture collection far from home. Recently, she made a trip to Dubai, where I had the chance to sit down and chat with her.
“The reality is very different for Palestinians,” she said. “Whenever I move outside of my homeland, I see how people live normal lives, doing things we can’t even imagine doing there.”
Everyone often ask her about the situation in her city, and she realises most of them haven’t even studied the Palestinian map—she unfolded one and pointed to Jaffa, her beloved hometown by the sea. Her finger then traced the distance to Gaza, a place etched with sorrow where thousands of Palestinians lose their lives daily.
“We hear it all,” she said. “There hasn’t been a single day since October 7th that we haven’t heard the warplanes. We’ve gotten used to that loud sound.” She recalled an evening when she was on her prayer mat and a rocket, meant for Gaza, landed near her home, smashing the windows and scattering metal shards everywhere. Though she was safe, her cousin wasn’t as lucky, with metal pieces piercing her leg.
As a bridal designer shipping countrywide, many of her orders get canceled because someone from the bride or groom’s family dies in the genocide. The closure of international shipments has made sourcing fabrics harder than ever. Yet, she still passes by her mother’s home in Ramallah, hoping one day they can reclaim it after being forced to relocate years ago.
Aza, a digital creator and stylist also recently worn one of her designs at the Fashion Factor and it quickly gained the attention of many.
When I asked if she ever considered relocating to another country, she responded firmly, “I would never leave my land. It’s in my blood. We would never leave our land behind, no matter what, and I will always represent it.”
“The interesting thing is,” she began, her voice tinged with both sadness and resolve, “people are only talking about the Palestinian struggle now, but it has been the reality of our lives since the beginning. Generations have endured this suffering.”
As she spoke, I could see the weight of history in her eyes. “It’s good that people from all parts of the world can see the truth now, but it’s also sad how it took so long,” she continued. The pain in her words painted a picture of a lifetime spent in a land where peace is a distant dream.
Sineen shared a glimpse of her personal life, describing how she loves the night breeze and leaves her windows open despite the heat. “With my home close to the sea, I love the breeze at night and leave the windows open. It does get hot there, but not as hot as here,” she said, a small smile breaking through the pain.
“I just hold onto hope,” she said softly, but with a strength that seemed unbreakable. This hope, passed down through generations, fuels her resilience and creativity, inspiring her to design and share her culture with the world.
Sineen’s story is a powerful reminder that Palestinians have dreams just like us but possess a resilience that few of us could ever fathom. Her journey is not just about fashion—it’s about hope, perseverance, and an unwavering connection to her homeland.
