Cut from the Same Cloth brought together a diverse group of residents in Doha to explore themes of reinvention and recycling. Held at M7, a prominent design hub in the city, the week-long live event and art installation aimed to encourage environmentally friendly practices and challenge traditional gender roles by including men and women in activities such as folding and repairing clothes.
The project was a collaboration between artist Teresa Albor and the British Council in Qatar. They invited attendees to donate unwanted clothes, take part in sewing marathons, and share stories of reinvention. School children also got involved, learning to repurpose old T-shirts into shoulder bags. Through activities like these, as well as workshops and demonstrations, Cut from the Same Cloth raised awareness about the importance of textile recycling and encouraged sustainable practices.
This is a topic close to Teresa’s heart. As designer and co-ordinator at Re/DRESS, a responsible fashion brand, she was inspired to join Cut from the Same Cloth after relocating to Bangladesh. The country is home to 4,000 textile and garment factories and is the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made clothing. Teresa was keen to effect change and collaborated with local factories in Bangladesh to ensure clothing donated to Cut from the Same Cloth could be recycled there.
As well as encouraging sustainability, the project also provided a unique platform for residents of Doha to come together, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections, laying the groundwork for future collaboration and social change. The project had a profound impact on both participants and the wider community. By involving men in traditionally women-dominated activities like sewing and textile recycling, it challenged gender stereotypes and helped to promote women’s empowerment.
Teresa views Cut from the Same Cloth as just the beginning of a larger movement towards inclusivity and gender equality. She plans to continue her work in Qatar, building on the lessons learned from this project to inform future initiatives and help create a more equitable and sustainable society for all.