In a world where fast-paced living often blurs the beauty of simplicity, two creative minds have come together to remind us of the delicate, yet profound, complexities of nature. Jwana Hamdan, an Italo-Lebanese entrepreneur known for her love of outdoor design, and Tricia Paoluccio, a Californian artist celebrated for her pressed flower artistry, have joined forces in a collaboration that breathes life into nature-inspired fabrics. Their capsule collection goes beyond fabric; it honours the beauty of the natural world, reflects the strength of the human spirit, and pays tribute to the power of collaboration
“The inspiration for the capsule collection stems from Jwana’s profound desire to capture the essence of nature in her designs. Drawing from the rich poetic and literary traditions of Middle Eastern culture, she envisioned lush gardens as powerful metaphors for human emotions and social interactions. Tricia, with her expertise in pressed flowers and floral patterns, brought this vision to life. Together, they embarked on a journey to create something unique, blending visual impact with rich, cultural heritage,” comments the team.
The design process was a beautiful blend of artistry and craftsmanship. Jwana and Tricia started by working with real flowers, capturing their natural complexity and vibrant colours. “Flowered fabrics hold special meaning for me, as they evoke memories of the tapestries in the living rooms of my childhood,” states Hamdan. The designs, aptly named Fairouz and Julia, embody two contrasting yet complementary aspects of life. Fairouz, with its Damask, rose inspiration, evokes nostalgia and a sense of timeless tradition, while Julia, with its pink peonies, represents the carefree joy and lightness of being, reminding us of the renewal and rebirth that spring brings.
“Nature symbolises the most complex and powerful emotions that the human soul can experience, ” Hamdan shares. “I wanted to capture this relationship by translating these emotions into a textile project.” Yet, translating this fragile beauty into durable outdoor fabrics proved to be a challenge. The ancient weaving techniques, reminiscent of brocade, required Jwana’s team to meticulously interpret every petal, leaf, and shade into threads. With only four weft threads available in the loom—each thread representing a different colour—the challenge was immense. Despite these limitations, Hamdan embraced the imperfections, the undefined elements, and even the broken petals. In doing so, she discovered that these “flaws” added depth and authenticity to the designs, making them all the more human.
For those in Dubai, the capsule collection will be showcased at Purity, where design enthusiasts can experience the magic of nature through the eyes of these two visionaries. The result of this collaboration is a pair of beautiful, evocative fabrics: Fairouz, a love letter to the past, and Julia, a joyful ode to the present. Together, they tell a story of nature’s beauty, human emotion, and the undeniable connection between the two.
