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FAQ

About Nöl

What does "Nöl" mean?

Nol is the arabic word for "loom."

The fate of the loom in Palestine may seem like a sad and inevitable consequence of the “progress” the world is making regarding technology, consumption, and production. Yet, what’s significant about this story is that it represents the loss of indigenous reverence for the earth and sustainability and its replacement with the settler-colonial greed which has been harming the earth for decades. 

The loom seemed to be a symbol of the collective human and creative effort Palestinians poured into creating clothing—a process of sheering the livestock, spinning the wool, dying the yarns with plants and spices native to Palestine, setting the colors by washing the yarns in the seas of Gaza, and finally weaving the yarns into cloth on the loom. My passion for the Palestinian loom blossomed as I began piecing together puzzle of my own people’s history, attempt to help illuminate this ancestral and indigenous knowledge in harmony with mother nature. 

Why do you naturally dye garments?

Natural dyeing isn't only an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical dyeing, but it is rooted deeply in Palestinian heritage and our relationship with the land.

Our ancestors were very resourceful in the ways they created color, using plants, insects, roots, and spices to bring vibrancy and meaning to their garments and silk embroidery threads.

Our exploration of natural dyeing is a commitment to telling these stories and perhaps even reviving this legacy.

What is "tatreez?"

Palestinian Tatreez embroidery is a centuries-old art form handmade by women in Palestine and traditionally passed down from mother to daughter. It has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance and female strength under the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

We have a lot to learn from the art of tatreez, a traditional Palestinian embroidery, beyond the meanings of the stitches and motifs. My fascination with this centuries-old tradition is that it is a defiant remnant of the relationship indigenous peoples had with the earth. They were creating clothing heavy with meaning, specifically for a person, designed to last years if not decades and even generations, and slow. 

It takes hours to embroider a single garment featuring tatreez. This means that customers who purchased these pieces might not see the garemnt for weeks in some cases, a radical departure from the world of fast fashion we’ve grown so accustomed to. This practice asks their wearers to reconsider their standards of fashion, helping set us off in a new direction. 

What does military occupation have to do with fashion?

Israeli military occupation affects every aspect of our work from being able to ship packages, to importing fabrics (certain shades of green have to undergo extra security screening, for example), to our ability to move throughout Palestine to meet and work with artisans. Often times garments can be held up at military check points and can delay an order for a few weeks. The occupation also affects the daily lives of those behind the clothes, the artisans who weave, embroider, sew, etc. all face oppression on a daily basis, ineveitably politicising these garments and asking the world to humanize garments in a pretty radical way.

Ordering & Size Chart

Do you have a shop in Ramallah?

Our studio is open every Saturday from 12 - 6 pm.

If you would like to arrange a visit to the studio on a different day, please contact us to make an appointment.

Why should I pre-order an item?

Our stuff sells out pretty fast, so purchasing an item on pre-order secures that super special thing in your size and style before it’s totally gone.

Can I return my order?

We accept garments in new condition within 10 days a full refund. Return shipping is must be paid by the customer unless the item arrives damaged or incorrect, in which case we will pay for the cost of return.

Your refund will be credited to the original form of payment used to make the purchase. Please note that sale items are non-returnable.

Can I cancel my order?

We completely get it, we change our minds too! Most orders are packaged and shipped within a few days after the order is placed. If your order has not already shipped out, we are more than happy to alter or cancel for specific reasons.

Should the item(s) not work out, make sure to exchange for a preferred style or return for a refund.

What does it mean if an item is Waitlisted?

If an item is Waitlisted it means that we might be making more! Sign up with your email and let us know your preferred color and size. We will email you to let you know if it becomes available.

Shipping, Returns & Exchanges

We use all major carriers, and local courier partners. You’ll be asked to select a delivery method during checkout.

What is the shipping policy?

Once your order is placed, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know that we received your order. Once your order is fulfilled, you will receive an email notification with your tracking information. Shipping fees are non-refundable in the case of returns.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship all over the world. Shipping costs will apply, and will be added at checkout. If you don't see your country, please email us and we'll gladly help!

Can I return my items?

We accept garments in new condition within 10 days a full refund. Return shipping is must be paid by the customer unless the item arrives damaged or incorrect, in which case we will pay for the cost of return.

Your refund will be credited to the original form of payment used to make the purchase. Please note that sale items are non-returnable.

Can I return Final Sale items?

Final Sale items cannot be returned. No exceptions will be made for sizing, fit, or fabric issues. We understand that buying Final Sale items can be tricky, so if you have any questions about the style, please reach out to us before placing your order.

Care & Wash

How do I wash a naturally dyed garment?

Fill a sink with cold water. Add a tablespoon of pH neautral soap--choose a plant-based detergent free of fragrance, optical brighteners, chlorine, and phosphates that are all bad for you and the environment. We recommend brands like Seventh Generation, Meyer’s, Honest Company, Method, or Earth Friendly Products. Place your item into the water and gently swirl it around for a few minutes. Drain and refill the sink with clean, cold water. Rinse your garment by swishing it around once more, and then gently press it to remove excess water. Be careful to not to wring or scrub. Natural colour bleeding is part of the process; with additional washes the colour loss will stabilise.

Air dry in the shade. Do NOT store in sun or near sun light.

How do I wash t-shirts & sweatshirts?

Wash clothes in cold water, as opposed to warm or hot, and always wait until you have a full load. Hang or lay flat to dry.

Sustainability

What is dead stock fabric?

We define deadstock as old, leftover, and over-ordered fabric from other designers and fabric warehouses. When small brands like ours use thee fabrics, we help divert them from landfills. Most of our garments are made with deadstock fabrics.

How do you choose which facilities/suppliers to work with?

We look at several different factors when it comes to choosing where we make our clothes - like quality, price, and working conditions.

Get in touch

Didn't find your answer here? Email us and we'll gladly help!