Our Creative Process
Our Name
BADAN
is a word with Arabic origins defined as "body." It is also used to describe a thobe's (Palestinian garment's) front and back skirt panels. This signifies that Palestinians not only wear their tatreez, but are their tatreez. The embroidery on Palestinian garments is inseparable from the Palestinian people.
This word now has a beautiful third meaning as Badan Collective. We intentionally consider our name throughout our creative process. With every step, we move as one body of Palestinians to collectively create art that lasts throughout generations.
Our founder
Bayan
is the Creative Director behind Badan Collective. She has been practicing tatreez since 2005, founding Badan Collective in 2022 as a creative design house and educational space for tatreez. Through Badan, Bayan is a Tatreez Instructor and has taught over 2,000 students across the United States. She is also a writer, published poet, and Licensed Social Worker with a focus on community organizing and trauma-informed care.
This experience combined, Bayan is able to use multiple embroidery techniques to create traditional Palestinian garments infused with poetry, intentional design, and a community of stitchers in mind.
Our Team
Palestinian Artisans
are the ones behind every hand-crafted item at Badan. Once our pieces have been designed in-house, they are then passed on to our team of Palestinian women artisans residing all across Ramallah, Palestine.
They embroider tatreez by hand, craft wood, weave fabric, sew belts and pouches, and stitch garments with us. Their dedication helps to create our timeless pieces.
Through our efforts, we support these local women artisans, fabric shops, and businesses to earn an ethical and fair market wage for their work.