In the summer of 2014, I launched a silk scarf depicting Gaza in total darkness, lit only by explosions visible from the International Space Station. The image had been tweeted by a German astronaut who called it “the saddest picture I’ve taken from space.” That sentiment—rare for astronauts who typically speak of the awe-inspiring overview effect—was profound. I responded immediately, printing the photo on high-quality silk reminiscent of Hermès, launching a collection that funded dignity kits for displaced Palestinian women.
Later that year, I volunteered in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, providing skill training in fashion and beauty.