Taking a lyrical approach to fashion

Dubai: One woman is using her needle and thread to revive all that is authentic and traditional by designing women's wear inspired by images of heritage and homeland.

Lamees Khalifeh, a retired schoolteacher, has been employing a vast palette of textiles and colours for the past year and a half to display the beauty of Arab culture in everyday clothing such as shawls, dresses, bags and other handicrafts.

The 150 pieces she has designed have been sewn with a range of fabrics, among them silk and Syrian "saya" material, a colourful and striped textile used in traditional costumes. Many of the bags have been made with jute and decorated with gold coins, shells and crystals among other unique touches.

"I used those fabrics that I felt stemmed from our heritage and that our grandmothers used to wear ... I treasure everything that is authentic because it's in my blood," Khalifeh says.

The checkered kaffiyeh, the bedouin Arab kerchief worn as a headdress, has also been used as material for loose-fitting tops with a modern look.

Beaming with excitement at the prospect of displaying the collection at her first exhibition today, the mother-of-three tells Gulf News about the incentive behind her project.

"The idea started after I retired from teaching in 2006 after 22 years and I began to think of work that can fill my time. One day I was having a conversation with a close friend about handicrafts and I realised that I always had an affinity and interest in embroidery and stitching," she says.

Khalifeh, a Palestinian-Jordanian who has lived in Dubai for 35 years, says that as a child she had a natural inclination for the arts and a love for colour, but after completing her education she invested all her time in teaching.

Rich language

"I used to paint and with the embroidery on some of my handmade designs, I feel like I'm painting on a canvas. I also placed emphasis on Arabic calligraphy in my work because our language is rich and wonderful in words and shapes," Khalifeh said.

Some of the tops and dresses bear familiar lyrics and verses by prominent personalities like the singer Fairuz and the late poet Nizar Qabbani. The lyrics embroidered with intricate calligraphy are carefully chosen to express the theme of the homeland, such as, "Take me back to my homeland with its scented breeze."

Khalifeh explains that although the process was beautiful, it was also a challenge and took up a lot of her time. To hone her skills, she used references such as Palestinian embroidery books and visited charity associations in Jordan. She also purchased the materials from Jordan.

"My former experience in stitching was indispensable and although this is my first attempt, I do hope that in the future I can have a shop and my Al Lamees Designs are recognised. Once things take off, I will also give a percentage of the profit to charity."

Items in the collection are aimed at women of all ages and various tastes and will be sold during an open house exhibition at Khalifeh's home in Jumeirah. The exhibition also consists of handicrafts like wall hangings and table runners.

She stresses that every piece is one of a kind, but if people like a particular item they can order it. Although she embarked on the project alone, she attributes much of its success to her family. Her 27-year-old daughter Suha, a graphic designer, helped her conceive designs that would appeal to a broad range of age groups, especially young women. Her younger daughter Farah offered advice and assisted in the project.

"The new generation has an appreciation for the old, but they tend to approach what is authentic in a more modern way by preferring to wear embroidery on tops rather than traditional dresses," she said.

The designer urges other women with talent and time on their hands to develop their skills in areas that interest them, especially those who are retired.

"When I finished some of those challenging pieces, I looked at them in amazement and had to ask myself if I had really made them. It gave me a sense of accomplishment."

For more information, contact: lameesa_kh@hotmail.com