Where Fashion Meets Culture: Tali Marjieh

From Palestine to Los Angeles: A Cultural Fusion

In the vibrant diversity of Los Angeles, passionate designer Tali weaves her personal and cultural narrative into the world of fashion. Raised in Palestine, she was constantly surrounded by the rich cultural elements of the Middle East—traditional coins, intricate tatreez (embroidery), and an abundance of gold. These surroundings sparked her creativity and shaped her unique vision.

“I was constantly surrounded by the rich cultural elements of the Middle East—whether it was traditional coins, intricate tatreez, or an abundance of gold,” shared Tali.

After moving to the U.S., Tali realized that many elements of her culture were unfamiliar to American audiences.

“That motivated me to bring something unique to the table and share a part of my heritage that’s both meaningful and new to them,” she added.

A Graduation Look that Started it All

Tali’s early interest in fashion stemmed from a desire for self-expression. When graduation came, she designed her own outfit—a bold pants-and-top set, while most of her peers wore dresses.

“After that, more girls started wearing similar outfits, and it made me realize that maybe my choice had inspired others. That’s when I thought maybe I was actually good at this! Haha!” she said.

Styling Elyanna: Where Fashion Meets Family

Tali’s career in fashion took a significant turn when she began designing custom stage looks for her sister, Elyanna, the infamous Palestinian artist. Their move to Los Angeles opened new creative and professional opportunities for Tali, marking a pivotal chapter in her journey as a fashion designer.

“We started getting invited to events where we wanted to show people who Elyanna is and what she represents. But it was really difficult to find anything in LA that felt true to her style and culture,” Tali explained.

That challenge pushed her into design. She created a simple outfit—a skirt and a top—that paid homage to their roots. To her surprise, the outfit received numerous compliments.

“Wait, maybe I am good at this!” she recalled thinking.

Designing for the Stage: A Creative Collaboration

When Elyanna took the stage, Tali's vision for fashion became clear. Alongside their brother Feras, Elyanna’s creative director, they realized her outfits needed to match her power and presence.

“I focus more on designing looks for Elyanna rather than styling her. We all work together to create looks that match her stage presence and tell her story through fashion,” said Tali.

The process is deeply collaborative and culturally rooted. Once the creative vision is set, Tali heads to downtown LA to source fabrics and elements that reflect their identity. She usually designs multiple looks, choosing one based on the city and the energy it gives them.

Inspiration from the World, Anchored in Culture

Tali’s creativity is fueled by authenticity and the natural flair of others. Her work trips around the globe constantly refresh her perspective.

Despite occasional misunderstandings of her vision, Tali stays confident in her path.

“Even though some people still don’t fully understand our vision, we’re continuing to do what we do best. I hope they’ll catch up eventually, for their own good—they don’t know what they’re missing,” she added.

Empowering a New Generation

To young creatives, Tali offers empowering advice: "Fashion is more of a feeling; it's not something technical."

She urges them to embrace their cultural backgrounds confidently.

“We have beautiful, rich elements that we can always brag about proudly,”

MARTAL: Designing with Purpose

Not only is Tali the designer behind Elyanna’s iconic looks, but she's also the founder of her own brand, MARTAL. Her latest collection reflects her commitment to sustainability and storytelling through design.

“One of the pieces I’m excited about is a reversible top—one side is faux fur, and when you flip it, it becomes faux leather,” announced Tali.

She aims to encourage investment in versatile pieces. Another bold design features a top with the phrase “DON’T LOOK” in gold—representing girls with unique taste who wish to evade negative societal attention.

“I want people to get excited about wearing MARTAL—whether it’s because they want to feel like the main character or because they know there’s a chance they’ll run into their toxic ex. Either way, they’ll be ready,”