Kareem Story Project
The Kareem Story
The Kareem Story is a visual and installation-based project about what it means to exist between two worlds at the same time.
At the center is Kareem, a figure stepping forward, not away from where he comes from, but with it. His presence reflects the reality of identity shaped by both heritage and environment, not as separate pieces, but as something carried together.
This project is built as a full experience.
A constructed frame becomes a space you can walk into. From the outside, it reflects New York. From the inside, it shifts into Sudan. Kareem stands between the two, stepping forward as sand follows him out, refusing to be left behind.
The garments, the hand-beading, the inscribed poem, and the environment all work together to tell one story. Nothing exists on its own. Every element is intentional.
This is not just fashion. It is a moment being built, captured, and presented as a complete body of work.
The Goal
We are raising $15,000 to fully produce The Kareem Story, including garment construction, hand detailing, set design, photography, and a finished exhibition-ready installation.
What the Project Actually Looks Like
At the center of the project is a full look built from muslin fabric, a thawb and a durag, designed to feel raw, intentional, and rooted.
The durag is hand-beaded, carrying detailed work that reflects care, time, and tradition. On the back of it, a poem will be inscribed, something personal and reflective, turning the piece into something that speaks, not just something that is worn.
The garments are then placed into a built environment.
There will be a large framed structure. Inside of it is a contained world. From the outside, what you see is New York, layered through imagery and texture, almost like a surface-level reality.
Inside of the frame is something completely different. The interior shifts into a space that reflects Sudan and surrounding regions, through sand, tone, and atmosphere.
Kareem is positioned in between.
He is stepping out of the inner space, out of the sand, and into the outside world. As he moves forward, sand spills out of the frame onto the ground.
That moment, right there, is the project.
What It Means
This is about the tension of carrying where you come from into where you are.
The outside world only sees one version. The inside holds another. The movement between them is constant, and it is not always clean.
The durag, the poem, the fabric, and the environment all work together to show that identity is not something you switch on and off. It moves with you.
What You’re Supporting
Your support is helping build this exact moment, not an idea, but a finished piece.
That includes constructing the garments with hand detail, creating the set and frame, sourcing materials like sand and structure, producing the shoot, and completing a final body of images that present this story clearly.
The goal is to complete this as both a visual series and a physical installation that can be shown in a gallery setting.
Why It Matters
Projects like this take time, detail, and resources to get right.
This is not about rushing something out. It is about creating something that holds weight, something that people can stand in front of and understand without needing it to be explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Kareem Story is a visual and installation based project that brings together fashion, storytelling, and environment into one cohesive piece. It centers around a figure moving between two worlds, expressed through a custom durag, thawb, and a constructed set that reflects both New York and Sudan.
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Your support goes directly toward bringing the project to life. This includes garment construction and hand-beading, materials for the installation, set design, photography, and the final production needed to present the work as a complete visual and exhibition ready piece.
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The final outcome will be a fully produced visual series along with a physical installation concept. The goal is to present The Kareem Story as a complete body of work that can be shared publicly and developed into an exhibition setting.
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Yes. You are welcome to dedicate your donation in honor or in memory of someone important to you.
The Kareem Story is rooted in identity, memory, and what we carry with us. If you choose, you may include a name or message with your contribution, and it can be respectfully acknowledged as part of the project.
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As a way of honoring those who help bring The Kareem Story to life, supporters may be acknowledged within the final presentation of the project.
With your permission, your name can be included as part of a public thank you, which may be featured in the exhibition or related materials. If you prefer to remain anonymous, your privacy will be fully respected.
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Yes, there may be opportunities to get involved as the project develops.
The Kareem Story includes elements like set building, styling, production, and documentation, and support in these areas can be valuable. If you are interested in contributing your time, skills, or resources, you are welcome to reach out.
Please contact us directly with a brief introduction and how you would like to be involved.
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Yes. Depending on your level of support, you may receive exclusive updates, early previews, or limited-edition prints from the final project. Higher-tier supporters will also receive special recognition for helping bring the project to life.
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The timeline depends on funding and production, but the goal is to move into full production as soon as the necessary resources are secured. Supporters will be kept updated throughout the process as the project develops from concept to completion.
