Thursday, Nov 18, 2010

Gulf News

The traditional garment is going through a lot of changes to keep up with the times

Abaya – the unequivocal bridge of culture and fashion for women

Iman Sherif Staff Reporter with inputs from Abdulla Rashid Abu Dhabi Editor with pics by Abdul Rahman

Abu Dhabi Business at shops selling abayas has boomed with Eid Al Adha. Even with the rising cost of this traditional wear, demand has surged. Designer labels could cost anywhere from Dh10,000 upwards.

However, the design of abayas has been slow to change. You will still see women wearing simple, plain outfits.

But with changing times, abayas too have gone through a redesign. They have now been injected with style, colour and detail. And it is not rare to see women wearing branded abayas these days.

However, modesty has not been compromised due to changes in design while sophistication and pizzazz have taken the garment to a new level.

For many, simplicity has taken a back seat in favour of brilliance and labels (brand names). Abayas have now become a symbol of stature and wealth.

All-silk garment

Not many decades ago, a luxurious abaya would mean getting an all-silk garment and it would cost as much as Dh1,000 for a quality item. But today, buyers end up spending Dh5,000 on a good quality abaya, and the cost could even go up to Dh10,000 for a better one.

Styles are changing, patterns are becoming more elaborate, with fur or feather trimmings, beading and crystal designs, crochet, lace, and leather incorporated in black raw silk, crepe, velvet, gabardine, chiffon, georgette and cotton. And all this comes at a cost.

For the rich, price is never a question, uniqueness is what matters for them. Some of them have their outfits stitched with gold, and lined with sapphire, emerald and other precious stones. And yes, in some cases, even with diamonds.

British couture designer Bruce Oldfield is said to have created the world’s most expensive abaya. It was covered in 4,668 independent diamonds and white gold adding up to 85.13 carats. This luxurious diamond studded-outfit sold for £175,000 (Dh1.02 million).

Renowned brands such as Swarovski, Louis Vuitton, DKNY have all expanded their marketing efforts in the Arab world. So you can now pick up exquisite abayas designed by Calvin Klein or Christian Dior.

However, Emiratis prefer abayas by Versace, Hermes, Yves Saint-Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Giorgio Armani. But people should watch out for fake brands as some of the top brands have not yet ventured into abaya fashion.

— With inputs from ?Abdulla Rashid, ?Abu Dhabi Editor

ABDUL RAHMAN/Gulf News

Festive purchase

Women check out abayas during Eid shopping at a shop in Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi.

Abaya styles in the Gulf have evolved much like fashion anywhere else in the world. This symbolic element of culture and heritage is not immune from exposure to modernisation and change.

By Iman Sherif?Staff Reporter

Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.