The abaya in focus at Maraya Art Centre

Maraya Art Centre, an initiative by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), will host established and emerging designers under one roof to discuss their views on the Abaya design industry and the current trends and challenges faced when setting up their fashion labels. Titled "My Abaya", the morning talk will be held on Tuesday, September 24. The "aba" or "abaya" is a popular traditional dress worn as modest casual and formal wear by women in the UAE, GCC, Arab, and Islamic countries. As time has gone by and with modernisation growing every day, the abaya has also been evolving. Hence new trends and styles have emerged. Modern designers from all over the world have added embroidery techniques and added to the scope of the abaya through contemporary design patterns to make this Islamic attire more fashionable, yet it has still kept its form as a symbol of modest and elegant dressing. Commenting on the occasion, Dana Al Sadek, Maraya Community Coordinator said: "The purpose of having this event is to cater to aspiring designers and especially the popularity of abaya designs which closely related to the local heritage/ embedded in culture. Providing a platform for dialogue or trending and local topics" Abaya experts will discuss current trends and styles of oriental Abaya as well as their unique approaches. They will highlight their success in Abaya designing, exchange visions, address related topics, and provide some enlightening tips to emerging designers. Also, to make this discussion more visual, there will be a mini fashion show of abayas will be held, showing two models of each participating designers. – Emirates News Agency, WAM