What the designers wore at the Ramadan pop-up shop at Fashion Catwalk in The Dubai Mall


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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

Bio:

Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour

Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people 

Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite food: Fish and vegetables

Favourite place to visit: London

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.