Life & Style | Beauty & Fashion
Tradition takes the stage in style
The Shayla and Abaya Fashion show blends tradition with style to present the latest collections of shaylas and abayas by leading designers and labels from the region.
- By Jyoti Kalsi, Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:01 August 26, 2007
- The inaugural show featured a collection from well-known label The First Choice House.
- Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman/Gulf News
Creativity knows no limitations. This was aptly demonstrated by the trendy creations seen on the ramp at Shayla and Abaya Fashion, which opened on Thursday at BurJuman.
The five-day-event organised by Dubai Summer Surprises in collaboration with BurJuman, M.A.C. and Crystallised — Swarovski elements blends tradition with style to present the latest collections of shaylas and abayas by leading designers and labels from the region.
A touch of modernity
The inaugural show featured a collection from well-known label The First Choice House. The company showcased a couture collection designed by its chief designer Abrar Abdul Karim.
The Indian designer's creations beautifully combined the grace and elegance of the traditional Arabian shayla and abaya with international runway trends.
Glamorous
He used embellishments such as intricate hand embroidery, glittering multicoloured Swarovski crystals, satin ribbons and bows, coloured satin lining and printed chiffon under-layers to add a splash of colour to the ensembles.
And he experimented with pleated panels, pin tucks, organza flowers and crystal-studded belts to create a glamorous and sophisticated look.
Innovative
Abdul Karim's eye for detail could be seen in nuances such as the tiny black crystals sown onto red string tassels and his sari-pallav inspired panels on some abayas provided an interesting twist to this traditional garment.
Other innovative touches included pleats on the shoulders of an abaya and a smocked underlayer peeping from slits on the side and sleeves of a particularly eye-catching abaya.
"We are happy that DSS has invited us to be part of this prestigious event and I have been working day and night for the past month to create this collection of one-of-a-kind dresses especially for this show," said Abdul Karim.
"The shayla and abaya are deeply rooted in tradition and we must respect that while designing. But despite the limitation in terms of colour and cuts, there is plenty of scope for creativity," he added.
Fashion for all
Eisa Adam Ebrahim, general manager, BurJuman was happy to see that the show attracted not only Arab women but people of all nationalities.
"BurJuman believes that luxury fashion does not only come from abroad, but also grows within Dubai. The abaya and shayla are important elements of Emirati culture and we want to showcase the best of the best for our discerning clientele and provide local designers the recognition they deserve," he said.
Award for the best
A highlight of the Shayla and Abaya Fashion event this year is the Swarovski Arabian Creation Award.
A panel of experts will judge designers showcasing their creations during the event and awards will be given in three categories, Best Casual Designer, Best Formal Designer and Best Creative Designer. The winners will be announced after the last show tomorrow.
What's an abaya?
The abaya is the national dress for women in most Arab countries including the UAE.
The overgarment is traditionally black, and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head, or a long black kaftan.
The abaya covers the whole body save the face, feet and hands. It can be worn with the niqab, a face veil that leaves only the eyes uncovered.
What's a shayla?
This is a long rectangle scarf worn by Muslim women that is wrapped around the head to cover the hair but not the face. A shayla differs from a hijab in both the manner it is worn and the shape of the material.
Typically, shayla's are 3ft in length and wrapped around the head several times to cover both the head and neck.
Usually considered more contemporary than a hijab, shayla's are very popular in the Middle East and can be custommade to match a particular abaya design.
About the event
Shayla and Abaya Fashion was introduced last year in the DSS events calendar. This year the event features two fashion shows daily.
The shows are held in the observatory on the first floor of BurJuman at 7pm and 7.45pm. The shows are choreographed by Uma Ghosh Deshpande and music provided by DJ Sash.
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