A Peek of Tannourine: A Look into Tala Barbotin Khalidy SS24

Debuting last week at New York Fashion Week, Tala Barbotin Khalidy showed us the power of blending the traditional and contemporary, a blend that goes far beyond borders. As a child, Tala was immersed in crafts local to the Levant region, particularly in Lebanon and Syria. When her grandmother passed during her years at Parsons School of Design, these practices re-entered Tala’s life, inspiring a years-long commitment to textiles from the region and their deeper meanings. 

Tala’s NYFW debut is a culmination of years of thoughtful research, practice, emotions, and care put into her eponymous brand. Drawing inspiration from the breathtaking Tannourine mountains, the SS24 collection introduces a versatile and stunning range of pieces. The collection’s colors are mirrored in the landscapes of the mountains: deep greens, warm oranges, pinks, pristine white, limestone beige, and charcoal blues take the wearer, and the viewer, on a journey through the diurnal cycle, experienced by the mountains themselves. Each piece’s texture, too, conveys the natural beauty of the mountains; from smooth silk styled with tactile lace and embroidery, each design conveys the harmony present within the mountains’ topography. 

At the core of the brand’s ethos is the sacred practice of embroidery. Collaborating closely with local artisans in Lebanon and Syria, every collection features a range of Levant-specific handiwork, including distinct crochet and patchwork with intricate patterns. 

This collaboration is wholly predicated on a radical commitment to sustainability and ethical production. Pieces forming the aesthetic identity of Tala Barbotin Khalidy value the individuality and style of each craftsperson in Lebanon. All fabrics, including the Syrian striped cotton and silk ‘Sayye’ fabric, are sourced deadstock from Damascus. 

The brand’s NYFW presentation wasn’t solely focused on reflecting Tannourine’s energy on a collection of clothes, either. Displayed alongside each model was a traditional mouneh jar, a locus for the preservation of seasonal fruits, herbs, and flowers. This cherished rural Lebanese tradition, particularly present in Tannourine, was put into action as models carefully placed preserved and dried flowers and herbs into small bags for show invitees to bring with them, a subtle but powerful reminder of the natural beauty of the Tannourine region.