KHALIDA ALI
DURAG ART AS CULTURAL FINE ART
Storytelling | Identity | Sacred Expression
About Khalida Ali
Khalida Ali is a New York based fashion designer and the visionary founder of AnonymousPlugs. In 2016, she identified a significant gap in the durag market, a lack of diversity and innovative designs. As a woman navigating a predominantly male industry, Khalida’s journey has been one of resilience and creativity. She is passionate about introducing new ideas, colors, shapes, and styles to durags, aiming to elevate their cultural significance and aesthetic appeal. Her work not only challenges traditional perceptions but also celebrates the rich diversity within durag culture. Determined to address this, Khalida embarked on a mission to redefine the durag, transforming it from a simple hair accessory into a cultural staple. She reimagined it through bold colors, unique textures, innovative shapes, and versatile fabrics that allowed people to coordinate their durags with any outfit. Now, she continues to evolve the form, establishing it as a powerful medium for cultural storytelling and fine art.
MY MISSION
My mission is to blend fashion, art, and storytelling into one cohesive form, using the Durag as both a canvas and a symbol of cultural expression. I aim to move beyond the boundaries of traditional design, creating expressive, unique pieces that transcend fashion and are recognized as works of art. My work reimagines the Durag not just as a practical or aesthetic accessory but as a medium for storytelling one that reflects personal journeys, cultural pride, and the complexities of Black identity. Each piece becomes a narrative, telling stories of empowerment, resilience, and individuality, while inviting people to engage with the deeper meaning behind it. Looking forward, I aspire to immerse myself in the art world, creating durag inspired pieces that exist at the intersection of fashion and fine art. My goal is to present work that sparks dialogue, encourages reflection, and ultimately transforms how everyday objects are perceived challenging people to view them as forms of self-expression and cultural storytelling. Through collaborations, exhibitions, and experimental designs, I want to explore the endless possibilities of using the Durag as an evolving art form, creating work that resonates not just with wearers but with observers in galleries and cultural spaces. This mission is about more than just fashion; it is about crafting a new artistic language rooted in the beauty and diversity of Black culture. Inspired by my experiences and the rich cultural history that shaped me, I hope to push the boundaries of my craft by incorporating themes from music, sports, urban culture, and personal memory into my work. I am committed to creating pieces that capture the spirit of Black empowerment elevating the durag from a symbol of functionality to a meaningful and celebrated expression of art. In the future, I envision my work living not only on individuals but also in galleries and museums, recognized for its artistic significance. My ambition is to build a body of work that redefines how we engage with both fashion and art, making each Durag a statement of cultural pride and storytelling. This journey is not only about a fashion designer but also about emerging as an artist, one of many hats that i wear. Challenging conventions, and leaving a lasting legacy that honors the power and beauty of Black expression across generations.
Project Proposals & Concepts PDF’s
This PDF introduces Khalida Ali as the creator of durag art, a medium that uses the durag as a tool for cultural storytelling, artistic symbolism, and fine art presentation. The document shares Khalida’s background, growing up on the border of Queens and Brooklyn in the early 2000s where the durag was a daily staple in Black culture. It explains how she began designing unique durags in response to what was missing at the time and how her work evolved into something deeper. The PDF walks through her transition from streetwear styling to cultural commentary. It includes selected pieces, her creative direction, and the intention behind each look. The proposal also introduces her desire to expand this body of work into museum exhibitions and cultural showcases that honor the Black experience through durag art.
The Royal Stride is Khalida’s proposed contribution to the upcoming Met Gala exhibition. This look reimagines Black dandyism through the lens of the durag, presenting it not just as an accessory but as a centerpiece of elegance, legacy, and cultural pride. While dandyism is often discussed through tailoring and flamboyant details, the durag is rarely included in that narrative. This project seeks to change that. Styled with intentional structure and symbolism, The Royal Stride celebrates the strength and refinement within Black streetwear culture and places the durag at the center of the conversation. It is a declaration that softness, royalty, and boldness can coexist, and that the durag deserves recognition in the canon of Black fashion history.
Kareem’s Story is a deeply personal and poetic installation proposal that blends Khalida’s own cultural experiences with fictional narrative. The story follows Kareem, a Sudanese boy and his transition into America, who navigates identity, tradition, and belonging through the symbolism of a durag. Using a mannequin installation, a durag cape, gold staging, and an original poem woven into the garment itself, the piece transforms personal memory into collective reflection. It honors migration, dual identity, and the voice of a boy learning to stand tall between two worlds. This project is both a tribute to Black and Sudanese cultural heritage and a new interpretation of Black dandyism as defined through the durag.
Blog
Upcoming projects
A glimpse into what’s next. These pieces reflect ongoing explorations of Black identity, adornment, and cultural storytelling—told through durag art, fashion, and symbolism.
Title: Prince on Prince Entendre
Description:
A dual homage to royal iconography and musical genius. Styled in purple and crowned in gold, this piece blurs the lines between literal nobility and cultural royalty, paying tribute to the artist Prince while reclaiming regal imagery through the lens of Black streetwear and durag fashion.
Title: Crown Connection
Description:
A visual story of shared sovereignty and sacred bond. The durag becomes both crown and tether—linking two figures through memory, legacy, and cultural inheritance. This piece speaks to unity in duality, and the unseen threads that hold us together.
Title: Supply Meets Demand
Description:
A surreal reflection on the complex climate of relationships today, where emotional currency, shifting expectations, and personal availability frequently collide and intertwine in unexpected ways. Using economic language as metaphor, this piece examines how we negotiate love, intimacy, and the silent contracts we enter with one another.
Gallery of my work
Gallery of my work
