Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where boys stand wait their turn before they jump off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
'Akka (Acre)' thobe is stitched in bright red and gold thread, once more depicts the boys waiting their turn to leap form the cliffs in a show of masculinity. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
‘My Journey’ thobe is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. To the top right there is a brass sculpture of one young man suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe imagines a world where there is complete freedom of movement. This thobe depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. On the reverse of the dress you can see a dove, the symbol of peace. The women of Gaza often turn flour and sugar sacks into embroidered garments, so this thobe is made from similar material in tribute. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which shows the different embroidery colours used on the shoulder and sleeve of the dress. Victor Besa/The National
'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe takes a minimalist design. The simple black fabric is wonderfully embellished with rich gold thread, showcasing some of the most intricate tatreez work imaginable. The focus here is on the boats which used to cross to the famous trading port, and to the top right there is a solid brass vessel. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of a solid brass vessel sculpture. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
In 'The Wait' thobe, we see a line of boys waiting patiently, building themselves up to the leap from the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from 'The Wait' thobe, where a line of boys wait patiently before jumping off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from 'The Wait' thobe that shows the intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
In the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, boys jump from the famous cliffs of Akka to prove their manhood. In this thobe we see one young man suspended in mid-air, a splash beneath showing another boy has taken the plunge just before him. Layer upon layer of intricate tatreez have been woven to capture the jagged rocks, giving this thobe a beautiful texture. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where boys stand wait their turn before they jump off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
'Akka (Acre)' thobe is stitched in bright red and gold thread, once more depicts the boys waiting their turn to leap form the cliffs in a show of masculinity. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
‘My Journey’ thobe is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. To the top right there is a brass sculpture of one young man suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe imagines a world where there is complete freedom of movement. This thobe depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. On the reverse of the dress you can see a dove, the symbol of peace. The women of Gaza often turn flour and sugar sacks into embroidered garments, so this thobe is made from similar material in tribute. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which shows the different embroidery colours used on the shoulder and sleeve of the dress. Victor Besa/The National
'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe takes a minimalist design. The simple black fabric is wonderfully embellished with rich gold thread, showcasing some of the most intricate tatreez work imaginable. The focus here is on the boats which used to cross to the famous trading port, and to the top right there is a solid brass vessel. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of a solid brass vessel sculpture. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
In 'The Wait' thobe, we see a line of boys waiting patiently, building themselves up to the leap from the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from 'The Wait' thobe, where a line of boys wait patiently before jumping off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from 'The Wait' thobe that shows the intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
In the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, boys jump from the famous cliffs of Akka to prove their manhood. In this thobe we see one young man suspended in mid-air, a splash beneath showing another boy has taken the plunge just before him. Layer upon layer of intricate tatreez have been woven to capture the jagged rocks, giving this thobe a beautiful texture. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where boys stand wait their turn before they jump off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
