The Lowdown: De.Fash.Struction, the UAE’s first fashion-meets-culture exhibition

The first fashion exhibition to examine the UAE's cultural heritage, De-Fash-Struction is inspired by the natural environment and architecture of the Emirates, showing a purposeful lack of completion.

The exhibition will be on display at the 1971 Design Space in Sharjah from October 7 to December 26. Courtesy 1971 Design Space

Look forward to ... the first fashion exhibition that examines the UAE's cultural heritage. Titled De.Fash.Struction, it displays the work of regional designers, both emerging and established, who have been commissioned to produce pieces that employ ­deconstruction techniques to showcase the "undoing" of a garment's intended structure. The exhibition is curated by Khulood Thani, the Emirati designer and founder of clothing label Bint Thani.

Expect to see ... work that is inspired by the natural environment and indigenous architecture of the Emirates, showing a purposeful lack of completion. Creatives from clothing, jewellery, architecture and product-design backgrounds were asked to rethink everyday viewpoints of cloths, garments and accessories, in terms of their basic functions and implications. Abayas, menswear, accessories, textiles and photographs are all on display, along with documentations of each designer's research process.

Look out for ... names like Nadine Kanso, Alia bin Omair, Amal Haliq, Bahar Al Bahar, Mirjam Hiller and Yo_Cy Kalo in the jewellery and accessories category. Participating textile designers include Alia Dawood and Khalid Shafar, while Fatema Fardan, Katya Kovtunovich, Tahir Sultan, Ahmad Alanzi, Ayah Al Bitar, Pose/Arazzi, Oe-o, Tina Luther and Tijana Mladenovic are the exhibitors in the field of fashion. Celebrated Emirati visual artist Saeed Khalifa is handling all of the photography for the exhibition.

Make your way to ... 1971 Design Space gallery on Flag Island, Sharjah. The multifunctional space, which also houses a cafe, ­collaborates with local designers, artists and architects, along with schools and universities, and hosts public events, curated exhibitions and discussions on contemporary design. Subjects range from furniture and fashion to technology. De.Fash.Struction is on display from now until December 26.

Go if ... you've had your fill of commercialised and mass-marketed fashion, and are seeking a new type of thrill by viewing detailed and culturally inspired work by contemporary local talent. Trade in the overly indulged lookbooks, mocktails and tedious small talk for a meaningful evening celebrating art, heritage and the creative process.

Don't bother if ... you'll be going solely to post selfies with the designers on Instagram and Snapchat, or if you're just looking for an excuse to wear your new bedazzled abaya. This is a fashion affair for those who appreciate culture and craftsmanship.