Skip to main content

Tatreez on the Red Carpet: The Palestinian Craft Basel Adra Wore to the Oscars.

 


Resolute RGL: The Story Behind the Shoes Palestinian Filmmaker Basel Adra Wore to the Oscars

At the 97th Academy Awards, Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra made a powerful statement by wearing handcrafted shoes from Resolute RGL, a brand he co-founded. His choice was not just about fashion—it was about heritage, resistance, and economic empowerment.

Birth of Resolute RGL

  • Resolute RGL was founded by Basel Adra and his parents with a clear mission: to preserve Palestinian culture through fashion while supporting local artisans.
  • The brand draws inspiration from Palestinian resilience and heritage, with each piece reflecting the struggle and beauty of their homeland.
  • The name "Resolute" symbolizes the unwavering strength of the Palestinian people, while "RGL" (short for "Ragel") is derived from the Arabic word for "man," emphasizing dignity and perseverance.

A Fashion Statement with a Deeper Purpose



  • Tatreez embroidery—a centuries-old Palestinian craft—was the highlight of the shoes Adra wore.
  • The embroidery was done by women artisans from Masafer Yatta, South Hebron Hills, where Adra himself grew up.
  • By incorporating Tatreez into high-quality leather shoes, Resolute RGL connects tradition with modern style, ensuring that Palestinian heritage remains alive and relevant.

Empowering Palestinian Women

  • The brand works directly with the Palestinian Women's Weaving Cooperative, offering them financial independence and a global platform for their craft.
  • Many of these women face occupation-related hardships, and Resolute RGL provides them with a way to preserve their identity and earn a living.
  • Each pair of shoes tells a story of resistance, resilience, and artistry.

The Oscars Moment: More Than Just Shoes

  • When Basel Adra stepped onto the red carpet in Resolute RGL shoes, he carried a piece of his homeland with him.
  • His film, No Other Land, won Best Documentary Short, and his shoes became a symbol of Palestinian perseverance.
  • The moment was both a personal and collective victory, showcasing Palestinian culture on one of the world’s biggest stages.

Resolute RGL: A Movement, Not Just a Brand

  • The brand’s Tatreez Collection is now available for pre-order, allowing supporters to own a piece of Palestinian craftsmanship.
  • Resolute RGL is not just about shoes—it’s about heritage, identity, and ethical fashion.
  • Every purchase helps sustain Palestinian artisans and challenge cultural erasure.

Conclusion: Walking with Purpose

Basel Adra and Resolute RGL are proving that fashion can be a powerful tool for storytelling and activism. His Oscars appearance wasn’t just about winning a gold statue—it was about honoring his homeland, his people, and the skilled hands that embroidered every stitch of his shoes.

With each step, Resolute RGL continues to walk the path of culture, resistance, and hope—one handcrafted shoe at a time.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"Hamas Isn't an Existential Threat; the Threats of the Future Are Far Greater" ( Maj. General Rtd.) Yitzhak Brik. Haaretz. Key Points.

Introduction of Yitzhak Brik. Yitzhak Brik is a retired Israeli IDF General. He was born on November 7, 1947 . Brik served in the Armored Corps as a brigade , division , and troops commander , and also commanded the IDF military colleges . He is also a Fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University, Herzliya . During the Yom Kippur War , he served as a reserve company commander and received the Medal of Courage. For about a decade, he served as the Soldier's Complaints Commissioner (Ombudsman) in the Ministry of Defense . More recently, Brik has been a harsh critic of the IDF's preparedness for war and is considered in Israel as the "prophet of wrath" of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.  Yitzhak Brik writes at Haaretz " Hamas Isn't an Existential Threat; the Threats of the Future Are Far Greater" Yitzhak Brik , a retired Israeli Major General, has warned of Israel's potential collapse within a year if the w...

Alleged war crimes in Gaza: Dual Belgian Israeli IDF Veteran, Investigated for Gaza War Crimes.

The dual Belgian-Israeli citizen , suspected of war crimes while fighting for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza , has not been formally arrested as of October 2024 . Instead, Belgian authorities announced the launch of an investigation into the individual's actions . The probe is focused on his alleged participation in civilian executions as part of the IDF's elite " Refaim" (Ghost) unit. The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by the Association Belgo-Palestinienne (ABP) , and Belgian prosecutors are examining the evidence to determine if charges will be brought against him. 1. The Investigation of an Israeli IDF Veteran Dual Belgian-Israeli Citizen:  A Belgian-Israeli man in his 20s , who served as a sniper in the elite IDF "Refaim" (Ghost) unit, is under investigation in Belgium for alleged war crimes in Gaza. War Crimes Allegations:  The veteran is accused of executing unarmed civilians during operations ...

"The West Bank as “a Series of Open-Air Prisons” Key Points.

  Key Points and Further Details 1. The West Bank as “a Series of Open-Air Prisons” Pastor Munther Isaac describes the current situation in the West Bank as one of its " darkest moments. " Israeli settlements and roadblocks are making the region " uninhabitable ," cutting off built-up areas from each other. Around Bethlehem alone, there are 80 roadblocks , making movement extremely difficult (often taking 6-7 hours to cross ). Economic devastation due to the decline of religious tourism has left churches focused on providing aid to struggling families . 2. The Future of Bethlehem’s Christian Community At least 100 Christian families have left Bethlehem since the start of the war. The Christian population in Bethlehem is already a small community struggling to survive . Forced displacements are increasing, with 45,000 Palestinians already displaced due to Israeli military raids on refugee camps. Fear that the West Bank might suffer the same fate ...

Chris Hedges' essay The Empire Self-Destructs. Key Points.

  Breakdown of the main points in Chris Hedges' essay The Empire Self-Destructs , with further details: 1. The Decline of Empire: Hallmarks of Collapse Hedges argues that the U.S. is exhibiting classic symptoms of a declining empire: c orruption, military failures, economic instability, and increasing authoritarianism. Historical comparisons are drawn to the fall of Rome , the Habsburgs , and other collapsed empires. 2. The Cannibalization of Government Billionaires , Christian fundamentalists , and other elites are dismantling the U.S. government for personal and ideological gain. The destruction of state institutions weakens national stability, leading to self-inflicted wounds that hasten collapse. 3. Retreat into Delusion U.S. leadership, particularly under Trump , is detached from reality, replacing facts with conspiracy theories , religious extremism , and empty rhetoric . This results in incoherent policies , such as withdrawing from international agreements and san...

Israel’s Birth and the Roads Not Taken: Revisiting the Alternative Jewish Homelands Debate

Before the establishment of Israel in 1948, several alternative locations were considered for a Jewish homeland, each with its own advantages and challenges.   The Uganda Plan (1903) was a British proposal to settle Jews in East Africa , but it was rejected by the Zionist movement for lacking historical and religious significance .  The Birobidzhan Project (1930s) , launched by the Soviet Union, aimed to create a Jewish Autonomous Region in the Russian Far East, but harsh conditions and Stalinist purges undermined its success .  Nazi Germany’s Madagascar Plan (1930s-1940s) proposed deporting European Jews to the African island , but the idea was unrealistic and tied to anti-Semitic policies .   After World War II, some suggested Jewish resettlement in Germany, arguing that Holocaust survivors should be given land there as reparations, but most survivors rejected living on the soil of their oppressors.  Lastly, various proposals for Jewish settlement in Aus...