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Words by Yasemin Hassan, Director and Curator of Talking Textures
Talking Textures is an analogue photo series captured in two parts; the first by photographer Yeliz Zaifoglu, and the second (which I am excited to share more from soon!) by photographer Esteshhad Quissay.
This project delves into the intersection of beauty standards and cultural identity within South West Asian and North African (SWANA) communities. Through the lens of film photography, Talking Textures aims to challenge Eurocentric beauty norms and celebrate the diverse textures of hair within the SWANA community. The series goes beyond traditional photoshoots, emphasising cultural identity over fashion, and aims to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with textured hair.
Talking Textures reacts to the underlying shame often experienced by SWANA individuals within their cultures and the beauty standards perpetuated by mainstream media. The project seeks to address underlying shame and misconceptions surrounding textured hair, offering representation and fostering dialogue within the SWANA community.
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Yeliz Zaifoglu
:instagram_logo_2022-svg: @boxed.up_
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Esteshhad Quissay
:instagram_logo_2022-svg: @ehq___
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As part of Shubbak Festival 2025, we have selected 8 black and white images from series one of Talking Textures, and 2 in colour from Talking Textures: Recapture to display in the lightboxes at Coal Drops Yard.
Firstly, a big thank you to Shubbak Festival and specifically to Alia Wasfi for producing the Talking Textures launch event at Coal Drops Yard, and for inviting us to be part of the festival!
Talking Textures series one, 2024
Talking Textures: Recapture, 2025
We hope to be able to share more images from this series soon, so follow us on Instagram to stay updated!
:instagram_logo_2022-svg: @talking_textures_
Thank you for taking the time to scan our QR code at the Coal Drops Yard lightboxes! And thank you to Shubbak Festival for including Talking Textures in the 2025 schedule. The festival runs from 23 May - 15 June 2025 - take a look at the full schedule of events here.
I couldn’t have produced Talking Textures without help from the community.
A big thank you to everyone involved in both series, and especially to Joe Mills, Director of Woolf Kings X - the salon where I learned my craft - for allowing me to take over your space for these shoots.
Talking Textures Series 1
Creative Director: Yasemin Hassan
Photography • Yeliz Zaifoglu
Styling • Dania Arafeh | @3eib
Makeup • Tina Khatri
Videographer • @Abdulisms
Project Manager / Event Producer • Pembe Tosun-Yusuf
Project Coordinator / BTS Photography • Daniella Mousicos
BTS Photography • Mikaella Mousicos
Hair stylists
Models
Mikaella • Tahini Molasses • Aasiya • Riyam • Dalia • Jalal • Khadija • Eman • Ali • Adam • Pey • Tuki • Alex •
Talking Textures Series 2: Recapture
Creative Director: Yasemin Hassan
Photography • Esteshhad Quissay
Production & BTS • Saoussane Grairi
Styling • Riyam Salim
Makeup • Hawa Abdallah
Lighting Technician • Lawaiza Hussain | Sabishan Vasanthakumaran
Project Manager / Exhibition Producer • Pembe Tosun-Yusuf
Project Coordinator • Daniella Mousicos
Hair stylists
Elizabeth Gaona ****
Models
Dunya • Juliette • Nadeem • Zahra • Drew • Ali • Marwan • Aanisah •