Our Story
About Us
Our region, rich with joy, resilience and creativity, carries stories shaped not only by its magnificence but also by the lasting shadows of imperialism. Too often, the world overlooks both our struggles and our brilliance. LiYa exists to bridge that gap, to educate, to provoke thought and to bring people together through the power of art and language.
We collaborate with artists, writers and thinkers from across the SWANA region, honoring the strength of our heritage while fostering dialogue around resistance, decolonisation and collective memory.
Through wearable statements, storytelling and cultural events, we celebrate creativity as a form of resistance and reclaim the narratives that have long been distorted. We invite others to stand with us, to learn, to share and to celebrate alongside us.
At its core, LiYa is about pride. Pride in language, in identity and in the shared histories that connect us. It’s about rejecting imposed divisions and rejoicing in the beauty of what unites us: from the timeless proverbs of our ancestors to the contemporary visions of our artists.
As we grow, LiYa dreams beyond borders, reaching across the Global South. Our T-shirts are just the beginning; the true heart of LiYa is a living, evolving space where culture, resistance, and creativity meet.
The Journey
Every movement starts with a story, this is ours:
Born at the intersection of culture and identity, LiYa is the brainchild of a lifelong journey shaped by heritage and defiance. Its founder was deeply influenced by an Egyptian mother who fiercely protected language and tradition, translating and sharing the depth and humor often overlooked and a European father who encouraged questioning the narratives imposed on the Global South.
From time spent in Palestine witnessing the raw realities of occupation, to years dedicated to journalism on anti-imperial struggles, the idea for LiYa emerged, a way to showcase beauty in resistance, while also educating ourselves on the realities that have brought us here.
Sustainability
“Colonial powers viewed the Earth not as a living system but as a resource to conquer. The Global south bore the brunt of this extractive greed.”
At LiYa, the supplier champions sustainability using GOTS-certified organic cotton and renewable energy at every stage. Each product follows a circular model, designed to be returned and remanufactured when worn out. Together we can blend cultural celebration with eco-conscious innovation.
Products can be returned to be remanufactured, creating zero waste, and come in 100% plastic-free, recyclable packaging for a truly sustainable experience.
Here's How to Return Your Worn-Out LiYa T-Shirt:
1. Scan the QR Code: Find the QR code on the inside of your t-shirt and scan it using your phone.
2. Follow the Instructions: The QR code will guide you to the return page, where you’ll receive step-by-step instructions to ship the item back at no cost.
3. Send It Back: Package the item and use the provided return label to ship it to us.
Once received, your t-shirt will be remanufactured into new products, helping to eliminate waste and keep the cycle going!
"They fear our culture, because it resists erasure." - Mahmoud Darwish
"They fear our culture, because it resists erasure." - Mahmoud Darwish
“After all, in the final analysis, man is a cause.” - Ghassan Kanafani
“After all, in the final analysis, man is a cause.” - Ghassan Kanafani
“In the forest of ebony, I found my soul dancing among the trees, embracing the dawn of freedom” - Salah Ahmed Ibrahim
“In the forest of ebony, I found my soul dancing among the trees, embracing the dawn of freedom” - Salah Ahmed Ibrahim
