Layan Masri is from Palestinian and is majoring in Fashion Merchandising & Design and Entrepreneurship Innovation & Technology.
My goal for this show—and my career as a designer—is to always center Palestine in my work, using my art to support its cause and amplify the message of my people. Being Palestinian is a core part of my identity, shaping not only my life but also the passion and purpose behind my designs. This dedication drives everything I create, both as a tribute to my people and a platform for advocacy.
My first design is a tribute to the people of Gaza, inspired by this poem:
"This morning I learned
the English word gauze
(finely woven medical cloth)
comes from the Arabic word
Ghazza
because Gazans have been skilled weavers for centuries.
I wondered then
how many of our wounds have been dressed because of them
and how many of theirs have been left open because of us."
That is all that needs to be said.
My second design features a body piece made entirely of keys—a powerful symbol of return for the millions of Palestinians expelled from their homes over the past 75 years. Many Palestinians carry their keys around their necks, holding onto the hope that one day they will return, even if their homes no longer stand. This piece embodies that resilience and unwavering connection to their land.
My third design is a piece that imitates rubble—layers upon layers of cement and stone, symbolizing the unfathomable destruction and debris left behind. The wire woven through the cement reflects Palestinian architecture and infrastructure. Yet, despite their structural integrity, these buildings are still reduced to ruins by the sheer aggression of the occupying force. This design is a reflection of both devastation and resistance, a visual statement on the relentless destruction and the unbreakable spirit of those who endure it.