Social Fabric:

Afghan-Australian stories in threaD

  • Workshop with designer Samira Yama, Wallsend Library 11.2.2023

  • Workshop with designer Anjilla Seddeqi, Wallsend Library 19.11.2022

  • Work in progress, Social Fabric Workshop, Wallsend Library

  • Welcome to Social Fabric storytelling & embroidery workshops, Wallsend Library Term 4 2022 & term 1 2023

  • Embroidery sample, Workshop at wallsend library

  • Gul-i-peron dress flower brooches for Afghan fashion market

  • social fabric workshops work in progress

  • Artisan chat, lovett gallery, newcastle, 5.5.2023

  • Talk+market: Ethical Fashion and Women's Empowerment, City library newcastle, 29.4.2023

  • Talk: ethical fashion and women's empowerment, Lovett Gallery 29.4.2023

  • Workshop with Designer Anjilla Seddeqi, Wallsend Library 19.11.2022

  • social fabric Newcastle postcards

  • Social Fabric Newcastle Invitations

  • Afghan and ethical fashion market, City Library 25.3.2023

  • work in progress

  • Small business advice session with the business centre, Wallsend Library 3.12.2022

  • exhibition launch celebration, lovett gallery, newcastle 24.3.2023

  • Social Fabric Exhibition Launch celebration, Lovett Gallery 24.3.2023

  • exhibition launch celebration, lovett gallery 24.3.2023

  • Workshop pieces ready for the social fabric exhibition

  • Dresses by Lida Mangal, Ghan Fashion, Lovett Gallery

  • Upcycled dress and jackets by designer MarYAm Oria of Sakena the label, Lovett Gallery

  • Panel talk: Afghan-Australian Designers on Fashion as Resistance, Lovett Gallery 25.3.2023

  • Bon Bon upcycled clutches by designer Maryam Oria of Sakena the label, Lovett Gallery

  • Dresses by Designer Anjilla Seddeqi, Hope Collection, Lovett Gallery

  • upcycled burqa Dresses by designer Samira Yama, Lovett Gallery

  • Gown by Designer Mariam Seddiq, Lovett Gallery

  • L: vintage Chyrpy. R: Traditional Kuchi dresses from designer Lida Mangal of Ghan Fashion, Lovett Gallery

  • Cuff pieces ready for traditional upcycling. R: Hazara embroidery sample from workshop participant

  • Designer Samira Yama talks about her dresses at social fabric workshop, Wallsend Library

  • Notebooks for workshop participants

  • Afghan embroidery circle, Lovett Gallery

  • Children's dress flower workshop, Lovett Gallery

  • Children's dress flower workshop, Lovett Gallery

  • workshop pieces ready for the exhibition

About Social Fabric Newcastle:

An Afghan Women’s Textile and Advocacy Initiative created by Shared World Collective in partnership with Newcastle Libraries. Social Fabric Newcastle 2022-2023 was proudly supported by Afghan-Australian Community & Settlement Support and City of Newcastle.

EMBROIDERY & STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS

Term 4 2022 & Term 1 2023, Wallsend Library

We are proud to share that in a city that welcomed 123 Afghans in 2022, our workshops attracted more than 40 recently arrived participants, with a typical group size of 12 to 15 women. The project employed 13 Afghan women as embroidery teachers, group facilitators, children’s activity leaders, and mentors. Workshops were designed to be welcoming and accessible to women of diverse ethnic backgrounds, ages, levels of education and existing skills. Participants came together for social support and to learn from experienced embroiderers, community leaders, and Afghan-Australian businesswomen active in the fashion industry.

NEWCASTLE EXHIBITION

March 25 - June 24, 2023, Lovett Gallery, City Library

Social Fabric: Afghan-Australian Stories in Thread explores Afghan women’s cultural history and contemporary Afghan-Australian perspectives through textile arts and fashion — responding to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and the growing presence of Afghan people in Australia.

Developed in collaboration with local Afghan artisans and diverse Afghan-Australian designers, the Social Fabric exhibition features a collection of Afghan vintage and contemporary fashion that attest to the enduring creativity and resilience of Afghan women. Contributing designers include Lida Mangal – Ghan Fashion, Maryam Oria – Sakena the Label, Anjilla Seddeqi, Mariam Seddiq, and Samira Yama, whose works appear alongside embroidery pieces made by Social Fabric workshop participants. Fashion offers a rich focus for the exchange of personal and political ideas, and for Afghan women the stakes have never been higher.

Media highlights:

Public events:

  • Exhibition Launch Celebration 24.3.2023

  • Afghan Fashion Market 25.3.2023

  • Panel: Afghan-Australian Designers on Fashion as Resistance 25.3.2023

  • Afghan Embroidery Circles 22.4, 13.5, 24.6 2023

  • Dress Flower Workshops for children (school holidays activity)

  • Afghan Artistan Chats 15.4, 6.5, 27.5 2023

  • Talk+Market: Ethical Fashion and Women’s Empowerment 29.4.2023

  • Talk: Intercultural Dialogue and the Arts 4.5. 2023

Exhibition event details available here!

We hope to bring the Social Fabric project to other Australian cities with growing Afghan communities in the future.

participant reflections

  • M.

    I didn’t know anything about embroidery before attending the Social Fabric workshops, because before now, I never had a chance to learn it. Embroidery is a special tradition in Afghanistan. It reminds me of my grandmother and showing the best of Afghan culture—being friendly, hardworking, and never stop loving all.

    (arrived Australia in 2022)

  • M.

    I love doing embroidery. It makes me feel happy, confident, and relaxed. . . I love the kindness and fairness of Australian culture and enjoyed being together and having fun in a beautiful place at the Social Fabric workshops.

    (arrived Australia in 2022)

  • Z.

    I was taught some embroidery from my aunty in Afghanistan but learnt more in the Social Fabric workshops. Afghan culture has such rich traditions. The workshops were also fun and a way to relieve stress. I enjoyed thinking about different designs and enjoyed the challenge of finishing my piece.

    (arrived in Australia 2019)

  • M.

    I learnt to sew in Afghanistan but have learnt to embroider at the Social Fabric workshops. For most of the women in the group, embroidering their scarves meant remembering some of their oldest and happiest memories. The workshops helped me to be happy and open-minded, to love myself as a woman, and to work together with others. I love that we have equal opportunity and rights for women in Australia, and I love the hospitality and culture of the Afghan community here in Newcastle.

    (arrived Australia in 2019)

  • F.

    Learning traditional types of embroidery is an act of love to our family, traditions, and rich Afghan culture. In the workshops we respected each other and learnt to be proud of our work and selves as women. I enjoy the fairness and freedom Australia offers all people, and I hope for work opportunities for our community, so we can help support our families here and in Afghanistan.

    (arrived Australia in 2014)

  • T.

    Embroidering this scarf was important to me, as embroidery is a part of my country’s ancient culture; it is very close to my heart. The connections and relationships we made while we worked were also very special.

    (arrived Australia in 2019)

  • S.

    Doing embroidery connects me to my culture, to Islamic traditions, to Afghan dress. . . In the workshops, I enjoyed making connections with different people and nationalities, and finding the common threads between us.

    (arrived Australia in 2021)