The Ramadan pop-up shop is at Fashion Catwalk in The Dubai Mall until June 25. We met the regional designers who are showcasing their latest collections, and found out what they opted to wear to the event.
"I am wearing an abaya by Sheikha Maitha bint Hasher Al Maktoum, the owner of Be You Boutique in Dubai. For this piece, she photographed bukhoor - the smoke that rises from incense - and textile printed it on a black abaya." - Emirati-Danish designer Latifa Al Gurg, 34, started her label Twisted Roots in 2012. She specialises in scarves, jackets, trousers and silk shirts ideal to use as travelwear and her Ramadan collection, Green Tea is inspired by Chinese culture. Twisted Roots collections are available at Ush boutique, Be You boutique and ValleyDez in Dubai, and House of Fraser in Abu Dhabi, and priced from Dh450 to Dh1,500.
"I am wearing a Dima Ayad exclusive black kaftan with geometric lace. I like this piece because I can wear it to a casual suhoor party as well as to my best friend's wedding by just wearing high heels, big earrings and red lips." - Lebanese designer Dima Ayad, 36, started her eponymous label in 2010, and she is known for her easy, multipurpose silhouettes that can suit women who are both slim or large, short or tall. Ayad's collections, which include short dresses, evening gowns, kaftans and capes, are stocked at S*uce, and priced between Dh1,500 and Dh4,500.
"I am wearing a light grey silk abaya from Endemage's Ramadan collection, which has a unique cut and mirrorwork and bead and thread embroidery on the borders."
Omani designer Lubna Al Zakwani and her sister Nadia are co-founders of Endemage, which started in 2010. Their collections, which include tops, capes, dresses, gowns and abayas, are stocked at Symphony, S*uce, Ush Boutique and Cartel in Dubai, and House of Fraser in Abu Dhabi, and priced from Dh500 to Dh4,000.?
"I am wearing a long, gold ruffled dress in a shiny jersey material from my 2016 Ramadan collection. My accessories are from a local store called Silsila, which does these very delicate, handmade, gold-plated pieces." - Swedish-Lebanese designer Chantal Assad, 32, left, who launched her label Chantal Designs in 2009. Known for her lace dresses, shirt dresses, kimonos and abayas, Assad's designs are stocked at Ush boutique and Fashion Vault in Dubai, and Luxury Arcade in Abu Dhabi, and are priced between Dh300 to Dh850. She runs a second label, Chantal & Lara with designer Lara Tawidian, right.
"I am wearing a self-designed jalabiya in pure organza with pearl embellishments on the sleeves and accessories to match." - Indian designer Neetu Mulani and her partner Emirati Manal Al Sharhan started the Fetha Couture label in 2013. Their collections include easy dresses, kaftans, abayas and jalabiyas, which are stocked at Ush boutique and Das in Village Mall, Dubai, and House of Fraser in Abu Dhabi. They also offer an at-home service. Prices range from Dh2,000 to Dh4,000.
pmunyal@thenational.ae
