Design Diaries International

Partner: American Alliance of Museums In fall 2013, 18 Minnesota teens partnered with 18 Palestinian teens in Jerusalem to study fashion, history and culture through a program called Design Diaries International. The girls researched textiles in the Minnesota Historical Society collections and the Palestinian Heritage Museum and worked with fashion designers to create garments, drawing on their research to express their unique identities. The girls shared what they learned through posts on Tumblr, a closed Facebook group, photo diaries, sketches and written reflections. The participating teens also met monthly via video conference to share their ideas and culture. The initiative culminated with two fashion shows put on by the students in spring 2014, one in Jerusalem and one in Saint Paul, with six girls from each country traveling to participate. Developed by MNHS, Design Diaries International is part of the Museums Connect program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by the American Alliance of Museums.