Humanitarian fashion is more than a trend — it is a movement built on empathy, cultural preservation, and collective healing.
Shahd Alasaly is a sociology instructor at the University of South Florida. Her work focuses on trauma, displacement, and collective healing through an anti-colonial lens. She is the founder and creative director of Blue Meets Blue, a slow-fashion label employing refugee women and partnering with Syrian textile producers. She is also the author of A Kids Book About Humanitarianism and is currently writing a new book series on refugee journeys.
In this episode, Shahd shares how fashion became a tool for art therapy, empowerment, and cultural preservation — and why teaching empathy to children may be the most powerful humanitarian act of all.
What you will learn from this episode:
Topics Covered:
02:11 – Founding Blue Meets Blue as a response to the Syrian civil war and collective trauma.
05:03 – How slow fashion and artisan work became art therapy for refugee women.
06:10 – Blue Meets Blue relaunching with textiles sourced from newly freed Syria.
07:02 – Bestselling A-line skirts, brocade dusters, and the storytelling behind each piece.
08:40 – Why Shahd wrote A Kids Book About Humanitarianism and how kids understand empathy.
10:48 – Teaching children about refugees through simple, actionable language.
12:30 – Shahd's upcoming book From There to Here following refugee children's journeys.
15:52 – How Shahd's research explores trauma, resilience, and community healing.
17:20 – Humanizing refugee experiences through stories of everyday motherhood and dignity.
Key Takeaways:
"Kids don't complicate relationships. Adults add politics, fear, and layers that make empathy harder." — Shahd Alasaly
"These women weren't just sewing. They were healing together in a safe, trusted space." — Shahd Alasaly
"You don't have to wait until you're older or important to be a humanitarian. You can start with a simple smile." — Shahd Alasaly
"Community resilience comes from holding space for each other through trauma." — Shahd Alasaly
Ways to Connect with Shahd Alasaly:
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