Emirati Style

I had a meeting the other day with a young Emirati woman who asked me an interesting question. She asked what local fashion trends I had noticed since I had arrived in the country. It was a tricky question. When I first stepped off the plane in Abu Dhabi, the only thing I noticed about how the local women were dressed was that they were completely covered head to toe in black drapery (which I now know is called an abaya.) At first I noticed nothing distinguishable between how the local Emirati women dressed. To my untrained eye the abaya appeared to be a black uniform cloaking the women in identical shapeless form. However, it didn't take me long to start noticing some subtle and not so subtle differences. The first Emirati trend I noticed was all in the accessories. Emiriati women like to express their personal style through expensive designer handbags. Status handbags if you will. When you walk through a shopping mall here you can easily spot a Balenciaga, a Channel, a Fendi and an Hermes in your first 10 paces through the front doors. I also started to notice how the designer bags were usually matched with some small detail on the abaya. For example; a black and gold quilted Channel would be worn with a black sheyla (headscarf) with gold beading along the edge. Or a teal Kelly bag would be matched with teal rhinestones around the cuffs of the abaya. The more closely I looked the more I noticed the individual styling displayed by each woman. I have recently become rather fascinated with abaya fashion and I have come across some inspired and talented local designers such as sisters Reem and Hind Beljafla who together run the DAS label.  http://www.dascollection.com/

To me their designs represent the new generation of Emirati women. Their abayas pay respect to Islamic traditions in that they cover up the body as required but they also offer the wearer elegance and the ability to express personal style through their flattering cuts, unique silhouettes and splashes of colour.

It certainly took some time to really see it but now that my eyes have adjusted I can really appreciate the personal style that Emirati women bring to their national dress.