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A Palestinian clothes designer from Ramallah has built up a celebrity following, making a name for himself and for Palestinian fashion outside the region.

He wants other Palestinians to be inspired to take up careers in the fashion industry.

STORY-LINE:

Whether in Los Angeles or downtown Ramallah, international designer Rami Kashou is sharing his collection with a broad range of people.

Kashou, the son of a former Miss Jordan, was born in Jerusalem in 1976, and raised in Ramallah. He started to draw and design clothes at the age of seven, designing for his mother and the neighbours.

After high school he moved to the US to learn fashion design.

He was one of the 15 designers to feature on season four of 'Project Runway' in 2007. He finished as first runner-up, going on to show his work during Fashion Week in New York.

Project Runway is a reality show that pits contestants from around the US against each other in challenges that test their creativity and aesthetics. They create runway ready looks in weekly episodes and the top designers often go on to dress celebrities.

Kashou has dressed famous people such as Queen Rania of Jordan, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton, Heidi Klum and others.

"I wanted to come to Ramallah to show some of my work, because I'm a son of this country, so I come every year here to visit. This time I wanted to give the people a chance to come to see my work and to get to know each other. There are people who are following my work but can't reach it", he says.

In a studio close to Yasser Arafat Square, people have come from different areas to see Kashou's latest designs, talk to him and try his clothes.

"I'm happy that he thought of doing such a thing here, to start with as a Palestinian. We should benefit the most from his work more than others," says Hiyam Atwan Zabaneh, a Ramallah resident who was trying on a Rami Kashou dress.

The Palestinian designer wants to encourage other international designers to come to Ramallah and show their work to Palestinians.

"There are people among us who like fashion. But because of what goes on in the news, they don't see these stuff (that Palestinians like fashion). So we like to change this idea and change the atmosphere," says Kashou.

Currently he is working on having an online shop, where people can see his latest work and buy it online. He is also looking to use Palestinian embroidery, which he would like to incorporate into his future work.

Ramallah, West Bank - 27 July 2016

1. Designer Rami Kashou helping woman while she is trying on dress

2. Tilt up of dress on woman

3. Kashou talking to woman about dress

4. Mid of dresses

5. Tilt up of dress

6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Kashou, designer:

"I wanted to come to Ramallah to show some of my work, because I'm a son of this country, I come every year here to visit. This time I wanted to give the people a chance to come to see my work and to get to know each other. There are people who are following my work but can't reach it. It is like an experiment, I wanted to show some of my work, and see what is more desired; the evening dresses, the cocktail dresses, the daily dresses, shirts, skirts, so next time I would like that every time I come I bring with me a collection that has different sizes, and give the people a chance to buy, because here it is rare to have a designer brining his work with him."

7. Mid of women checking dress

8. Kashou talking to woman about dress on mannequin

9. Tilt up of dress on mannequin

10. Women checking dresses

11. Kashou talking to visitors about his designs

12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic/English) Hiyam Atwan Zabaneh, Ramallah resident:

"I'm happy that he thought of doing such a thing here. To start with as a Palestinian, we should benefit the most from his work more than others. Even if the person did not buy, it is good to get to know what's the fashion this year, and this season. I really encourage him to do such events more often to show us and keep us up to date."

13. Zoom out of Kashou holding one of his dresses

14. Various of clothes designed by Kashou

15. Kashou holding dress

16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Kashou, designer:

"Following this, people might be encouraged to come here more and show their work. Maybe this is a new opportunity that will encourage designers from abroad to come and give a chance to the Palestinian people to see (their work). There are people among us who like fashion. But because of what goes on in the news, people don't see this aspect (that Palestinians like fashion). So we would like to change this idea and change the atmosphere."

17. Kashou showing woman a dress

18. Women checking dresses

19. Tilt down of white dress

20. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Kashou, designer:

"I will have an online shop, so people can buy online, if after I leave here people wanted to see my work and the new collection, it will be shown there (online). Now I'm looking into the embroidery subject, as I would like to work on a specific design that will include Palestinian embroidery."

21. Kashou talking to women about his work