Melhafa of the South

This shirt is made using a red and white melhafa from Tunisia, dating to the 1960s/1970s and sourced from two brothers running a textile shop in the heart of Tunis.

Melhafas traditionally come from the island of Djerba, historically woven by Tunisian women as a wrapped garment worn draped over the body, often signaling regional identity, marital status, or occasion depending on how it was styled. These textiles carried deep cultural significance as the bold red and white pattern is distinctive to Djerban weaving traditions, passed down through generations of local artisans.

Sourced directly from brothers who travel the country collecting pieces like this one, this melhafa carries both personal craftsmanship and a broader story of Tunisian textile heritage.