Damascus – January. 17 (SANA) Syria’s textile industry has long stood as a cornerstone of the national economy, with a production chain stretching from cotton cultivation and ginning through spinning and weaving to ready-made garments.
Before 2011, the sector made a significant contribution to industrial output and employed nearly 30% of the country’s industrial workforce. However, years of conflict have left devastating scars on infrastructure, triggered an immigration of skilled labor, slashed production levels, and compounded administrative and financial challenges that continue to hinder its recovery.
In Aleppo, textiles were never just an economic activity they formed part of the city’s urban identity and served as a key engine for exports and employment. For decades, Aleppo was a prominent regional and international hub for fabric and garment production, home to countless spinning mills, weaving factories, and embroidery workshops. Yet widespread destruction of infrastructure, disrupted supply chains, and dwindling investment have pushed this vital sector to the brink of collapse, eroding much of its former competitiveness
A Heritage Spanning Over 800 Years
Syria is renowned for a range of traditional fabrics passed down through generations over eight centuries. Among the most iconic are brocade ,Damasco , “Shanel,” and “Aghabani”—crafts whose roots stretch back more than 800 years. Today, “Shanel” remains especially popular in Syrian households, prized for its elegant designs and harmonious patterns that embody authentic Damascene aesthetics.
“In the old days, looms were entirely manual, and artisans would meticulously interweave threads by hand to create intricate motifs like those seen in brocade, where golden and silver threads were combined to highlight fine details. Over time, modern machinery entered the scene, but the artisanal spirit endures. Designs are first sketched by hand, then digitized for the machine but the crucial step remains the manual threading and color arrangement within the loom. A single mistake can ruin an entire piece.” Abdul Rahman Jouban, a merchant in Damascus’s historic al-Hamidiyah Souq told SANA.
Jouban added that the more colors used, the richer and clearer the pattern becomes, pointing to quintessential Damascene motifs such as the “Shami Almond” and the “Seven-Color Table Covers,” whose patterns and palettes echo those of Persian carpets.
Innovation Rooted in Tradition
Among recent innovations in the industry is the use of “flat” thread a synthetic silk blended with traditional (non-original) brocade yarns to produce lightweight rugs resembling Persian carpets. These vibrant, easy-to-transport pieces serve both as decorative table covers and export-friendly items that capture the essence of Eastern heritage.
“The primary customers today are Syrian expatriates,” Jouban notes, “who sees in these textiles cherished memories of home and irreplaceable cultural heritage.” He emphasizes that “Aleppo remains unrivaled in this field nearly all textile factories are based there,” echoing a well-known saying among craftsmen:
“The Aleppo citizens is the maker; the Damascene is the merchant,”
He elaborates: “Damascenes excel at marketing, while Aleppo people are master artisans.”
Exports recovers after Liberation
On the export front, Jouban observes a gradual recovery in foreign demand following Syria’s liberation. Markets in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom have shown renewed interest, driven largely by communities and enthusiasts of Eastern heritage who appreciate the artistry and authenticity of Syrian textiles.
No discussion of Syria’s textile legacy is complete without mention of Damascene brocade traditionally woven from natural silk interlaced with golden and silver threads to form elaborate, masterfully executed patterns. Equally significant is the centuries-old craft of Aghabani, practiced for over 500 years in the narrow alleys of Old Damascus ,, where artisans still hand-embroider traditional abayas and window drapes with intricate, generational precision.
And then there is Damasco the only fabric in the world named after a city. For more than two centuries, this textile has been uniquely associated with Damascus, standing as a living testament to the depth and resilience of Syria’s textile heritage.
Iman Alzuheiri/Mazen Eyon
