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S5E10. When Tradition Meets Technology with Belal
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BELAL HERBAWI IS A PALESTINIAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND PHD RESEARCHER WHOSE WORK FOCUSES ON DIGITIZING AND REINTRODUCING TRADITIONAL TATREEZ MOTIFS INTO CONTEMPORARY DESIGN (@belalherbawi). He grew up in Hebron in a family deeply rooted in textile production—his family owns Hirbawi, the last keffiyeh factory—which shaped his early connection to Palestinian cultural identity and craft.
Over time, Belal began learning to stitch himself and immersed in workshops that explored tatreez as meditation, restoration, and creativity. Through his PhD project, he works to digitize motifs and develop a designer’s manual that helps graphic designers use tatreez patterns respectfully while keeping their cultural context intact. He also created Threads of Creativity, a collaborative initiative bringing together artisans and designers—locally and internationally—to reinterpret motifs and generate new compositions for posters, interiors, objects, and digital design.
Belal emphasizes that tatreez must remain rooted in its origins and stories, even as colors, formats, and applications evolve. For him, the goal is to make tatreez a living part of everyday Palestinian visual life—not only in fashion, but in branding, interiors, public design, and global creative dialogue. Throughout his journey, the practice has taught him patience, intentionality, and the value of giving time and care to one’s craft—the same values embodied by Palestinian women who carried this tradition forward for generations.
You’ll hear about:
>> 1:49: Belal’s connection to Palestine and Palestinian textiles
>> 5:42: Why and how Belal focuses on tatreez
>> 9:04: Tatreez (design) workshops in Palestine
>> 16:33: Belal’s tatreez design journey
>> 21:30: Innovating tatreez and making tatreez accessible, to non-Palestinians too
>> 26:40: The bigger vision of Belal’s project
>> 34:23: Evolution of Belal’s art after tatreez
>> 37:00: What’s next for Belal
>> 40:38: Major life lesson from tatreez
Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
“I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!
Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information.
Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information.
Follow us @tatreeztalk
Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe
View all episodes
By Tatreez TalkSend us a text
BELAL HERBAWI IS A PALESTINIAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND PHD RESEARCHER WHOSE WORK FOCUSES ON DIGITIZING AND REINTRODUCING TRADITIONAL TATREEZ MOTIFS INTO CONTEMPORARY DESIGN (@belalherbawi). He grew up in Hebron in a family deeply rooted in textile production—his family owns Hirbawi, the last keffiyeh factory—which shaped his early connection to Palestinian cultural identity and craft.
Over time, Belal began learning to stitch himself and immersed in workshops that explored tatreez as meditation, restoration, and creativity. Through his PhD project, he works to digitize motifs and develop a designer’s manual that helps graphic designers use tatreez patterns respectfully while keeping their cultural context intact. He also created Threads of Creativity, a collaborative initiative bringing together artisans and designers—locally and internationally—to reinterpret motifs and generate new compositions for posters, interiors, objects, and digital design.
Belal emphasizes that tatreez must remain rooted in its origins and stories, even as colors, formats, and applications evolve. For him, the goal is to make tatreez a living part of everyday Palestinian visual life—not only in fashion, but in branding, interiors, public design, and global creative dialogue. Throughout his journey, the practice has taught him patience, intentionality, and the value of giving time and care to one’s craft—the same values embodied by Palestinian women who carried this tradition forward for generations.
You’ll hear about:
>> 1:49: Belal’s connection to Palestine and Palestinian textiles
>> 5:42: Why and how Belal focuses on tatreez
>> 9:04: Tatreez (design) workshops in Palestine
>> 16:33: Belal’s tatreez design journey
>> 21:30: Innovating tatreez and making tatreez accessible, to non-Palestinians too
>> 26:40: The bigger vision of Belal’s project
>> 34:23: Evolution of Belal’s art after tatreez
>> 37:00: What’s next for Belal
>> 40:38: Major life lesson from tatreez
Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
“I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!
Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information.
Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information.
Follow us @tatreeztalk
Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe