Orphaned incorporates the thobe- the sole representation of male attire in this body of work; to explore themes of intimacy, equality, and the redefinition of cultural and gender identities. Through its design, Orphaned challenges traditional perceptions, inviting viewers to reflect on the fluidity and complexity of these constructs.

The project consists of two garments, each utilizing the other’s halves. The first combines half a thobe and half an abaya, joined by velcro in the middle to allow the two halves to detach. The second garment uses the remaining half of the thobe, now with its collar removed, paired with half an abaya. This piece features two splits on either side, allowing the halves to embrace, creating a dialogue between the two halves.

The series narrates the story of Mohammed, a child born to parents from two of the Gulf’s three primary societal segments: a merchant family and an indigenous coastal tribe. Following his parents’ divorce, Mohammed’s father, desiring a daughter, entrusted him to a Bedouin tribe to learn traditionally feminine roles, such as cooking, nurturing the community, and caring for children. Although not Bedouin by blood, Mohammed was accepted by the tribe and immersed in their way of life for several years. However, upon entering adulthood, he was deemed unfit to remain within the women’s sphere. Carrying the lessons of desert life, Mohammed moved to the city, integrating into a rapidly modernising region. His journey represents one of the last generations to experience an indigenous Bedouin lifestyle before the tribe’s relocation to urban areas in the early 2000s.

While ‘Mohammed’ is traditionally a male name, the story invites viewers to reread and reinterpret the narrative by switching the gender role and associated behaviours.