Maya Kaadan
Designer
I am a Syrian designer graduated from the university of Art and Design in Geneva “HEAD” – jewelery and objects design specialization.
After my graduation, I worked at ANALIX FOREVER, a contemporary art company, where I deepened my knowledge in art. While leading the gallery and working with artists, my artworks have been displayed in several exhibitions such as biennales in France and other galleries in Geneva. Meanwhile, I assisted professors at the HEAD by conducting lessons on art questioning identity, cultures and conflicts.
My origins and experience in arts led me to create a fashion project with the Syrian refugee women based in Geneva and Beirut.
“Les femmes de souf” was the first project aiming to explore the knowledge of hand knitting by making, with the collaboration of Syrian women, a collection of sweaters. It encountered such a big success in Geneva, that the production was sold out within two days.
From Geneva, I relocated to Tunisia where the team of knitters grew and where Atelier 8/02 a fashion brand, willing to change the pace of fashion design and the way clothes are produced, was born.
Today, Atelier 8/02 is a team of two designers and many artisans, tailors and knitters based in Damascus, Beirut, London and Doha. The core of our values is working with talented people who tell a story through their craft. We make cloths with natural fibers fabrics and artisans we personally know. We work with our hearts and we dress people with love.