The Scarf Maker

The humanity of designers...

The Scarf Maker         By Sami Khalil

It was his cup of tea, bread and butter. Perennially desired, his scarf and accessories trade were his hallmark; bold, elegant and high-end. Finest silks were imported from Italy. As he grew up, he felt the need to make a statement. Art, after all, is not just to be hung on walls, in frames and such. It is to be mobile, lively in different places and occasions, where people don it.  

His name was Sami Amiri. White, with olive tones, of medium height and hazel eyes, Mr. Amiri was dexterous indeed. His design aesthetic brought pleasure and hints of inspiration. It sparked conversations injected with humor. If wearing something becomes personal intimacy then wearing something artistic becomes romantically interesting. Mr. Amiri’s fame was no secret, even Hermes came knocking doors.

He made scarfs for all seasons, for all types even the quirky ones. He had the acuity to know that affiliation is a powerful statement people make. Head gear, religious symbols and tattoos can be examples. No one can fudge that fact. Having penchant for business, then why not cash in on that, he thought? The rest was history! “Ladies, bad hair day; no problem,” he would say. “Just wear one of these, then have your wearable story to tell.” I guess everyone needs a workable story, statement-making.

Mr. Amiri had a twist in his life, though. As “September Eleven” unfolded, a sad and horrible day in America, there was a backlash towards a certain group, snowballing into some attacks due to their religious garb. Although equally shocked, disgusted from this perpetrated evil of that day, they did endure this undeserved comeuppance as retribution comes in many forms.

Sami Amiri, who was originally an immigrant from Afghanistan, felt the need to do something, protecting them. “To protect innocent lives is no vanity,” he said to himself. Something must be done. An ingenious idea flashed in his head. Make Scarves imprinted with the American flag imprints, to be worn in public by these women, until smoke clears and the dust settles. Sounds strange… not necessarily to him. If he, to be called “The Mad Hatter”, then be it. He always wanted to be unique and odd. Designing with purpose is no oddity, he believed. After a while, this deed literally stopped the attacks for Americans dared neither to attack the flag nor to desecrate it.

Orders came in by the thousands, even from housewives who hailed from different faiths to show solidarity. It all showed the loving, kind and gentle spirit of Americans in general. Amiri navigated the culture and protected souls. With the money he made, he started design schools for women in Afghanistan, teaching graphic design and digital printing.

With gratefulness, Afghani girls learned seamlessly which gave them power and independence. Their success unfolded like an accordion. One day, as Amiri left his store in Manhattan, a deranged individual, in his early twenties, approached him, pulled a gun, lodged several bullets in his body. Amiri fell dead. The assailant fled away to Central Park where he was apprehended eventually and brought to justice.

A man was killed, but neither the brand nor the positive influence. A prize was awarded by N.Y. state in his name annually for any designer who makes a difference in people’s lives, locally or world-wide, trend-worthy.         

Reviews

[wordman]

and you designed this touching write,,art at work

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you so much Wordman and Goodman for this wonderful review. Much obliged.

[wordman]

you`re welcome sami

[Sami Khalil]

::::::;)))))))))

[Pryde Foltz]

Loving your poetic prose, Sami. A story here that is both uplifting and tragic. Love should never be slain.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! I love how you put things in great perspective. Your talent knows no bounds. Thank you so much.

[Phillip W Parsons]

I'm so impressed at how you crunch so much story in such small spaces! I look forward to reading more!

[Sami Khalil]

Yes, sir! By all means. Thank you so much dear poet for the lovely visit and sharing.

[lightsong]

Amazing, amazing, truly amazing! not only the true story and the humanistic message behind it, but again Your amazing talent in writing stories. You are a real great storyteller dear Sami, and I specially highly applaud You here for this totally superior brilliant piece!

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! You humble me dear poet . You are an inspiration and light in our darkness. I do appreciate you. Take care.

[lightsong]

You deserve it and more my friend. Thank You too for the beauty of Your words, You are the one humbling me :)

[Sami Khalil]

::::::::))))))))

[barleygirl]

I am so glad you pointed me to this story. I'm not inclined to go ga-ga over 9/11 tributes, but this is much different than that. Here you weave together a number of pertinent themes from current social climate to create an inspiring allegory that feels familiar to me in many ways. There's so much that can be said about your msg, but I'll boil it down. Thirty years ago I rode my bicycle across the states (early 30's) & I was amazed to see how awesome the average American was, since I was meeting & dependent on the kindness of so many strangers every day for two months riding all day alone. At that time in my life, I was very "RAH! RAH!" about the basic goodness of Americans. Reading your story, I was noticing how I felt a little ridiculous trying on this attitude again, these days. Like how can anyone wear such rose-colored glasses while sucking on a lollipop? It was really hard for me to shake my deep sense of futility & irony, in order to appreciate your sentiments at face value. You are very correct. Most Americans are amazingly excellent people by nature. People can be so generous, to the point of bringing tears . . . I've felt it dozens of times over my life, even from perfect strangers. I'm proud of you for focusing on the right thing here, instead of the tragedies that seem to constantly plague us these days (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa Margie! That was my intentions. What you said was, is true and what you shared we love to highlight. Out of experience, we share truth about people and places. Nothing like being appreciative and responsive to the goodness in people. Some are hopeless but it will come back to bite them. Thank you so much for sharing and visiting.

[andrew mitchell]

If only man could weave his magic to replace bad with good, hate with love, and water to wine! What a nice place life would be! Intricate detailed writing as always Sami. Stick around Sami all sites have ups and downs.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! Thank you so much Andrew Mitchell for this wonderful review and advice. I appreciate your concern. Will stick around. So glad to see you.

[emmajoy]

Firstly as a keen wearer of scarves, this story led me to read it twice, second time aloud to hear its heart ticking. You've effortlessly told of a skilled man, far more than an artisan who was proud to create beauty and quality. But your words slid skilfully from one part of his life to another. He becomes the diplomat, a peace-maker, who created a respectful and gentle mood amongst people who were grieving and angry - not surprisingly, of course. Added to that, what he did eventually with his added wealth was incredible, he inspired a better future across the board. It's almost ironic to me that in his death, he near was a martyr for a cause that benefitted so many.. a cause that inspired more thought that might not happened had it not been for an immigrant from Afghanistan. This is such a finely written story, Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! I love you take and understanding of this story. You are so right. This man turned evil into good, hate into love and ignorance into understanding. He benefited and in the course others too. He made a difference into people's lives and left a legacy. He empowered women to their full potential. I think the story of Mallalzada inspired me a lot. A beautiful soul with a mission to make a difference.
You have that quality and mission through the written word and other venues. Always positive and upbeat with seeing the good in people. Thank you so much for all.

[emmajoy]

When it comes to writing like yours, Sami, whether poetry or prose, you always gently push folk into thinking.. that's a skill and am more than grateful for you for sharing it.

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie Millee. Good night.

[Robert Trakofler]

wow this was a surprise I love the messages in this, now I want one of those scarves too:) if only we could coax the good nature of us all this way what a better place this world would be good sir and keep the wretched in there rightful place of hiding!

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! So true and wonderfully stated. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your visit good sir. ...

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Sami... I agree with the "tone" of your writing. We can influence people with the way we
smile and wear a silk scarf. After reading your story... I thought of the designer "Armani"...
a 'play on words' in my mind. My father's family came from Hungary and the women were famous for
wearing scarfs around their head. They are called Habushkas in Hungary. Scarfs should not be controversial in America... as we are a country of Immigrants... and freedom of religion should be of choice... as long as we do not infringe on the documents that our forefathers so delicately composed and have been practiced successfully for years without starting a "war" about "scarfs" and the like. Our goal is to have a
Peaceful World. truly, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and wonderful. I totally agree with you. Freedom is the most valuable asset for all. This man saw a need to protect, empower and teach the innocent and give a voice, choice to women. Noble mission is the gist using his trade and talents. He is a doer and not just a talker. Makes a big difference in the world. Thank you so much dear poet and for sharing about your heritage. All great....

[Patricia Wedel]

You are welcome, Sami... words can be "healing" like a Balm. as ever, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Gracie millee....

[Sami Khalil]

"affiliation is a powerful statement people make. Head gear, religious symbols and tattoos can be examples."