Naomi Afia Güneş-Schneider

Based on current debates, clothing and body politics, a collection was developed. In the course of the project, conversations and an exchange among women* about their experiences with border transgressions, ways of dealing with them and their empowerment strategies were the basis for the collection development. An empowering framework was formed in which Women of Color, Black women, Muslim women, trans women and others talked about their experiences and needs, also in relation to clothing/fashion. A collection was developed that worked with the participants' statements and needs while also including an exploration of fashion that is "halal." The final event was a performative presentation and photo exhibition of the collection. 

Naomi Afia Güneş-Schneider was born in Engelskirchen (Germany) in 1993. After moving to Hamburg, she graduated from high school there and moved to Vienna the following year. Here she graduated from a college for fashion and textile design at Kunst.Mode.Design Herbststrasse. As an Afro-German, she has experienced racism since childhood, and since becoming visible as a Muslim, she has also experienced other forms of prejudice and discrimination. Border crossings have always been present; while before it was foreign hands that reached through the afro without being asked, today it is questions as to whether the headscarf may be touched or attempts to pull it down. Her own experiences as an Afro-German, visible Muslim woman shape her work and all areas of her life.