A SEASON OF SOLIDARITY
This year, consider shifting your holiday spending away from Black Friday sales and towards those rare brands and creators who have been consistently vocal about their concern for the welfare of Palestinian civilians - a risky move since many have lost opportunities and faced backlash for daring to speak their truth. Within this climate of censorship, it is vital to show emphatic support for those who have been steadfast in standing with humanity and calling for ceasefire. And so, in the seasonal spirit of solidarity, we've pulled together a few inspiring options below that could make for wonderful gifts to treat yourself or your loved ones. Whether or not you decide make a purchase, you can show your support by following, liking, and sharing these creators of color on social media.
SHOP OUR CURATED SELECTION OF PRODUCTS BY CREATORS OF COLOR
Studio Ananda's AstroTees are such a fun concept! Act fast - these limited edition shirts are only available via presale ending 11/26. Each of the 12 astrologically inspired tops are intricately illustrated by designer Roshan Ramesh and feature a haiku by Fariha Róisín. 10% of sales will be donated to Awaj Foundation, which support workers in Bangladesh. As Róisín writes, "This comes in light of the strike last week of Bangladeshi garment workers, and it’s important to remember, with everything happening in Palestine, that all our liberations are united. This means Congo. This means Sudan. How do we come out of this stranglehold of western imperialism? We create connections on the ground in the global south, and we support a world that favors fair trade."
Anna Kikue Levenson is a jewelry designer of AAPI heritage and Jewish descent, who describes her work as an "aesthetic homage to mixed identity, unconventional lived experiences, and bold individuality." Consistently vocal about her support for the cause, 15% of website sales for the remainder of the year will be donated to organizations supporting Palestinian aid and related efforts, beginning with Palestine Legal, which protects the civil & constitutional rights of those who speak out for the cause.
FC Palestina is a design project founded in 2015 with the mission of raising awareness for the people of Palestine, creating a variety of football shirts in the traditional colors of the flag for people to show their support. 20% of profits are donated to charities and projects directly supporting Palestinian civilians.
These limited edition art prints by Sarah Bahbah are the perfect addition to your walls (another to act fast - sales end 11/27). Bahbah is a Palestinian/Jordanian artist born and raised in Australia, whose signature style embraces emotional vulnerability to break taboos and celebrate the liberation of guilt and shame. She writes, "This holiday, I've curated a special limited edition print release to bring light and joy in the midst of our collective chaos. I want to honor moments of indulgence and escape while maintaining spaces for self-expression and self-care. This collection cherishes the importance of rest and release, embodying our ability to channel both our rage and our healing." A portion of sales will be donated to Emergency Relief for Gaza.
Beauty brand SimiHaze offers trend-forward makeup products in gorgeously gift-worthy packaging. The founders - Palestinian sisters Simi and Haze Khadra - have been longtime advocates for the Free Palestine movement. Between 2021-2022, they were able to raise over $20,000 to for Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Despite the tense nature of the current social climate, the celebrity sisters continue to remain strong in their convictions and speak without fear to raise awareness for the cause.
Kehlani has stands out as one of the most outspoken celebrities speaking on this issue with unrelenting support for the Palestinian cause - so why not show your appreciation by shopping her beautiful merch store for unique items like this tapestry blanket.
Nöl Collective, founded by Yasmeen Mjalli, taps into traditional craftsmanship to tell powerful stories through clothing, as explained in a recent feature by The Guardian. The exquisite Majdalawi fabric used in her collections originates from al-Majdal Asqalan, a Palestinian village that was occupied by Israeli forces in 1948. The traditional weaving has since been in danger of fading out. In an effort to contribute to the longevity of this artisanship, Mjalli collaborates with weavers in Gaza despite Israeli law prohibiting her from meeting her suppliers in person. The pieces also incorporate tatreez embroidery - an ancient craft which once served as a means to signal regional origin, but evolved to become a political symbol of resistance during the late 1940s Arab-Israeli war.
Survival Takes a Wild Imagination - a recently released collection of poems by writer and activist Fariha Róisín - is a powerful follow up to her critically-acclaimed debut compilation, How to Cure a Ghost, as well as her novel Like a Bird and essays on Who is Wellness For. As a queer Muslim Bangladeshi, she is interested in the margins, liminality, and otherness. Make your purchases from Reparations Club, a Black-owned concept bookshop and creative space standing in solidarity with Palestine.
If you have any suggestions for more brands and creators who should be featured in the season of solidarity, please share with hello@revisionary.space