Supermodel Bella Hadid used her clothing to make a strong political statement at the Cannes Film Festival, turning heads and sparking conversations. Hadid made a powerful message on one of the most prestigious platforms in the world by donning a vintage outfit that was evocative of the famous keffiyeh scarf, a symbol of Palestinian unity.
The outfit was reminiscent of the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh, with a striking red and white chequered design and characteristic fringe. Hadid finished the look with rectangular eyeglasses, gold hoops earrings, and red Gucci mules, striking a balance between luxury and depth.
Hadid acknowledged the significance of her outfit choice on Instagram. She posted the message, “Free Palestine forever,” along with an emoji of the Palestinian flag. She gave credit for the original 2001 invention to Hushi Mortezaie of Michael and Hushi and designer Michael Sears.
Hadid has a long history of supporting Palestine. Ever since the conflict in Gaza escalated recently, killing dozens, Hadid has been a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause. Born in Nazareth, her father Mohamed Hadid has talked about how his family was uprooted during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This personal background has had a significant impact on Hadid’s activism and dedication to Palestinian causes.
Hadid emphasizes the need to preserve innocent lives and guarantee the safe return of displaced people, regardless of their ethnicity, even as she acknowledges the suffering on both sides of the battle.
Hadid emphasizes the need to preserve innocent lives and guarantee the safe return of displaced people, regardless of their ethnicity, even as she acknowledges the suffering on both sides of the battle.
The scarf’s pattern has multiple interpretations and historical sources. There are many who claim that the waves symbolize trade routes, olive leaf margins, and fishermen’s nets. The keffiyeh is a component of various Arab cultures, despite its affiliation with Palestine. For example, Iraq has an identical variant, even though the nation is more famous for its palm trees than its olive trees.
Beyond just being a statement piece of clothing, the keffiyeh has political significance. Three students wearing keffiyehs were shot in Vermont in recent times; Hisham Awartani, one of them, is now paralyzed. A Canadian lawmaker was also kicked out of the legislature for donning a keffiyeh. These incidents bring to light the conflicts and false beliefs related to the scarf.
When the keffiyeh was still in use, Bedouins and laborers wore it to protect themselves from the weather. Its acceptance as a symbol of identity and resistance highlights both the wearer’s tenacity and the garment’s profound cultural importance.
Hadid’s debut at Cannes in a dress reminiscent of a keffiyeh is a call for awareness and a message of solidarity rather than just fashion. She uses her platform to promote a worthy cause by wearing the garment, which draws attention to the Palestinian struggle on a global scale. Her audacious decision is in line with an expanding trend of famous people using their prominence to draw attention to significant social and political concerns, promoting an international conversation about justice and peace.
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