The Dress Was More Than Fashion—it Was a Platform to Tell the Story of Gaza Rachel’s Message Resonates Widely on Social Media

American teacher Rachel Akorso captured all eyes at the Glamour magazine Women of the Year 2025 awards, not just for her elegance but for her humanitarian uniqueness. She wore a dress adorned with drawings by children from the Gaza Strip, instantly becoming the focus of press coverage and social media, earning millions of likes and widespread praise online.

The dress was more than a piece of fashion; it served as a living platform to share the stories of children who have experienced the conflict. Its colors and embroidery conveyed powerful messages from the children, including the colors of the Palestinian flag, watermelon shapes symbolizing solidarity, and olive branches and birds representing hope for peace. Rachel said in a brief interview: “I carry their stories with me, and they are so excited to see their artwork on the red carpet tonight,” emphasizing that her humanitarian message transcends any political dimensions.

Requesting Drawings from Gaza’s Children

Akorso’s striking appearance came at a time when her country was providing significant support to Tel Aviv, giving her message an even broader reach on social media and sparking discussions about the power of art and humanity to convey global messages. Before the event, she asked children from Gaza to create drawings reflecting their dreams and daily struggles, which she then literally incorporated into her dress, highlighting the voices of children often absent from mainstream media.

An Educational and Humanitarian Symbol

Rachel Akorso is not just a media figure; she is an educational and humanitarian icon online, with millions of followers worldwide through her popular children’s program on Netflix. Beyond education, she has supported Gaza’s children both financially and morally, hosting a child who lost a leg during shelling on one episode of her show, bringing viewers face-to-face with their daily realities.

Glamour magazine’s decision to honor her recognized her role in “redefining modern education, and her humanity that transcends geographical, political, and religious boundaries.” Her appearance on the red carpet received massive admiration and millions of online interactions, demonstrating that fashion and art can serve as powerful platforms for humanitarian messages.