Yasmin Ali

EIP: Can you share your journey to becoming a costume designer & stylist?

YASMIN: My journey to becoming a costume designer and stylist has been deeply intertwined with my identity and heritage. Growing up as a Spanish-born, Palestinian American, I was constantly surrounded by stories, textiles, and cultural expressions that reflected resilience and artistry. My love for fashion and storytelling began early, as I watched my family celebrate traditions through clothing and Tatreez embroidery that carried centuries of meaning.

My venture into costume design and styling wasn’t exactly linear. I started working in the fashion industry with brands like Ralph Lauren and J.Crew, but I quickly became disillusioned by the wastefulness and monotony of the industry. It felt like there was a lack of soul and variety, and I craved something that allowed me to express my creativity in a more dynamic way.

By chance, I attended a plant medicine retreat in upstate New York, where I befriended a quirky director. Later that year, he hired me to design costumes for RuPaul’s Drag Race Christmas music videos. That project was a revelation for me. It combined everything I loved—creativity, storytelling, and collaboration with bold, inspiring people.

I also realized that my ADHD, which can make routine work challenging, thrives in the kind of environment costume design provides. Each project is different, requiring a wide variety of skills and offering endless opportunities to meet and work with fascinating, creative individuals. It felt like I had finally found my calling.

Whether working on a film, a theatrical production, or styling an individual, I see each project as a chance to weave narratives through fabric, texture, and form.

Over time, I’ve learned to use my role to amplify voices and explore the intersections of identity, culture, and fashion. My goal is always to create designs that resonate emotionally, while also celebrating diversity and creativity.

EIP: Over the years, do you have a wearable piece that has become your absolute favorite?

YASMIN: One of my favorite pieces is a wrap skirt by the Palestinian brand Trashy Clothing. Their designs are rebellious, playful and impenitently political, blending satire and wit to tackle heavy topics like colonialism and cultural appropriation. What I love most is how they use fashion to tell stories—turning everyday garments into symbols of resistance and pride. This skirt, for example, feels like more than just clothing; it’s a reminder of the power of joy and creativity as tools for resilience. Trashy’s work always challenges conventional norms, and wearing their pieces makes me feel connected to both my roots and a broader, unapologetically rebellious spirit. It’s a piece that feels both nostalgic and contemporary, and it’s such a fun way to celebrate Palestinian culture with a sense of humor.

EIP: How has your childhood and upbringing shaped your style and approach to fashion today?

YASMIN: I’ve always been drawn to wearing a ‘conversation piece’—something that invites connection and sparks dialogue.

Growing up, I was also ridiculed for being different and experimental with my style, so fashion became a way for me to carve out a space where I felt safe and expressed my individuality. I still carry that desire for connection through my style, using it as a bridge to communicate and interact with others in a way that feels authentic to me. I was incredibly protective of my hijabi mother and friends. Going to high school in a post-9/11 world, during the Iraqi war, made me hyper- aware of the xenophobia and hatred directed at Arabs and Muslims. I remember getting into fights and standing up to cis-het white men who bullied me and my Muslim sisters. This fierce sense of protection for my community has always been a part of me. Because of that, I’m so proud to have been part of projects like Ms. Marvel and Ramy, which portray the diverse, multifaceted world of Muslims and the SWANA community and diaspora. These projects are personal to me, as they show that our stories and identities are complex and beautiful, and they push against stereotypes while highlighting our strength and resilience.

EIP: Tell us about politics and how it crosses over with your work?

YASMIN: Being a Palestinian American designer and stylist in today’s world has been challenging, to say the least. I took my first trip to my homeland in October 2023, and I landed on the 2nd, right in the midst of the atrocities unfolding. Being there, just kilometers away from the genocide, changed me in ways I can’t fully describe. I’ve always been politically active—so much so that it’s cost me jobs in the past—but witnessing this level of violence firsthand redefined my sense of activism.

Fashion and style are a form of expression, but what does ‘expression’ mean when you’re silenced for simply calling out atrocities? For me, clothing is a language. It speaks without words. Just walking by someone wearing a keffiyeh can provoke a nod of approval or a look of disgust. It’s incredible how powerful a single piece of fabric can be.

The film and TV industry has faced numerous setbacks, from COVID to the writers’ and SAG strikes, but for me, it became crystal clear that this industry, as it stands, needs disruption. If I’m going to lose opportunities for standing up against genocide, I don’t want to be working with soulless people. I’ve had countless colleagues and friends tell me they sympathize with Palestinians but can’t post anything for fear of losing their jobs. What does that tell you? Who holds the power?

So, to be able to collaborate with people and projects aligned with my values has been a blessing. From Mona Chalabi reaching out to create a custom keffiyeh dress, to styling the ‘Gaza is Calling’ music video for Mustafa, working with Bella Hadid, and designing a short film for my friend Laith Nakli, these are the kinds of projects that fuel me. This is why I do what I do—to help my community share their stories, to inspire others, and to unapologetically celebrate who we are and where we come from.