Dress The Mannequin: Where art meets fashion

One of the mannequins designed for Dress The Mannequin exhibition at Ghaf Gallery in Abu Dhabi

As part of Abu Dhabi Fashion Days, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, an Emirati fashion designer and artist has devised a unique concept to fuse her two passions. An art exhibition for mini mannequins dressed by a selection of creative Emiratis that will be auctioned off for charity.

The event will take place tonight in Ghaf Gallery in Abu Dhabi so ahead of the event, we caught up with Sumayyah to ask her about the event:

Q: What exactly is the Dress The Mannequin event?

A: Dress The Mannequin, is an art/fashion group exhibition. Twenty creative Emiratis from different generations and schools have come together under one roof to dress a miniature mannequin with their own ideas and concepts. This initiative is part of Abu Dhabi Fashion Days and supported by Abu Dhabi Festival.

A: Some artists I personally invited as I am a fan of their work and others applied by sending their portfolio and a concept for the miniature mannequin through an online portal.

Q: How will the auction work?

A: Each mannequin will be on display on a pedestal and next to it there will be on the wall information about the mannequin and under it the start bidding price, people will have to write down their name, phone number and finally the price they would like to buy the mannequin for.

Q: Why did the gallery decide to get involved with Abu Dhabi Fashion Days event?

A: The gallery is managed by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, who own Abu Dhabi Festival, which is the main supporter of Dress The Mannequin.

Q: All proceeds will go to the Ewa'a Shelter for women and children who are victims of human trafficking. Why did you select this charity?

A: Human trafficking is a huge issue and something that I thought was long gone. I was surprised to know of the women and children who are brought to my country for this reason. If I can in any shape or form help those who were harmed because of this I will definitely do and so, when the chance for me came to help and support, I immediately took it. Ewa'a offers shelter and protection and makes sure that the harmed women and children are sent home safe and sound.

* Dress The Mannequin will take place at Ghaf Gallery, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi tonight (26/2/14) from 7pm. For more info please call: 00971566984615