Material Power make-up bag

This organic cotton cosmetics bag has been exclusively produced for the Whitworth to accompany the exhibition Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery. The exhibition explores the historical life and contemporary significance of Palestinian embroidered dress. Although an ancient craft, embroidery remains the paradigmatic cultural material of Palestine today and its most prominent living tradition.

The Whitworth is home to an internationally significant collection of around 25,000 dress and textile objects from across the world that range in date from the third century AD to the present, including embroidery from Palestine and the surrounding region. 

Designer Shafia Fiaz has taken inspiration from some of the embroidered dresses within the exhibition to create this cosmetic bag design.

Designed exclusively for the Whitworth by Shafia Fiaz, 2023, © Shafia Fiaz.

• Fully lined