Creative Design: Undergraduate

Liberation

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Abstract

Liberation is a protest garment confronting the systematic oppression enforced by Iran's Islamic regime, particularly against women and marginalized communities. Drawing from traditional Persian art and aesthetics, the design shows the vivid beauty of Persian culture, something rarely shown in Western depictions of the country. The motif on the outer fabric, called the "tree of life," symbolizes both eternal life and peace in the afterlife, and represents the everlasting nature of culture, as well as the innocent people that died fighting for their rights. At the garment's center, a sickle rests against the neck, a representation of the tangible nature of the danger faced by people opposing the government and its ideals. By merging historical Persian aesthetics with contemporary protest, Liberation stands against the erasure of Persian identity at the hands of religious extremism while demanding global attention to the Iranian people's fight for civil rights.

Keywords: Women's rights, Sexual violence, Iran

How to Cite:

Golzy, S. & Staib, C., (2025) “Liberation”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21408