Crochet Is Her World… and Her World Is Crochet…
Every day, there is a new story echoing among the humble walls of a society where women live to create their own wonderlands. We are delighted to share the story of Camellia, who is living in her own crochet wonderland where she believes that, as a traditional Lebanese woman, from Chouf, she has a genetic tendency to have an elegant house and classy unique furniture, with all modesty. Therefore, crochet sets are not only a right of her self-expression but a necessity for her elegant furniture. Well, that’s what the house says about her.
If there is one thing Camellia loves as much as her mother, it is... covering things with crochet. She covers with crochet her bed, her tables, and even her oven!
And if Camellia thinks that she has something that can be very precious, she covers it with more and more crochet! But it is not only Camellia who has this happy relationship with crochet, her mom belongs to this never-ending happiness too.
All day, they spend it together. In the middle of the village, Camellia prepares the cup of matte that she shares with her mom through endless rounds of chit-chat. In their backyard, where the wind gently touches their flowers, Camellia sits beside her mom, and she connects the white threads together that her mother holds, combining them with love and emotions to end a piece of crochet so that she can cover a new thing she really values.
The story of Camellia goes beyond her humble way of living, it unfolds two stories that meld together to form one story. Camellia says that the more she feels connected with her mom the more her crochet ends up perfectly united.
Camellia thinks she lives in a wonderland, a wonderland she created out of crochet where her mom fills it with love. This is Camellia who is a part of the Salim Azzam community, a community where every single lady strives to inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more. Every single lady is a leader, a leader who emerged from her own wonderland.
Written by Muhammad Aoun.
Documented and photographed by Aline Deschamps.