Emirati fashion shines on Alta Roma couture ramp

Emirates Business

Emirati-inspired fashion took to the runway as part of the prestigious Alta Roma couture fashion week in Rome, Italy, with several collections featuring the traditional craft of ‘Talli’ and unique Italian interpretations on the abaya, the Arab world’s ubiquitous female garment.
The Alta Roma show formed an integral part of the ongoing collaboration between leading fashion school Accademia Italiana and the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, which through its Bidwa Social Development Programme supports the empowerment of skilled Emirati women who practice the traditional crafts of the United Arab Emirates.
Taking to the catwalk, the models at this exclusive fashion event showcased the students’ stunning final year collections that had incorporated the traditional craft of ‘Talli’ in a modern context, as well as the specially created abayas. Both ‘Talli’ design and pattern cutting for the traditional Arab abaya have now been added to the Italian Academy’s curriculum, in recognition of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Councils efforts in Italy and across the world.
“The use of ‘Talli’ at the Accademia Italiana Fashion Show represents the fruition of the efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Honorary Founder and Patron of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council to empower and support Emirati women working in the field of traditional handicrafts. The Bidwa Social Development program offers women working in the heritage crafts field with vocational training so that they can turn their skills into a profitable enterprise and create modern, high quality products with International appeal,” said HE Ameera BinKaram, Vice Chairperson NAMA and Chairperson, SBWC.
Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council has been established under the NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, chaired by Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, to support the advancement of women through the revival of the crafts across the MENASEA and Central Asia regions. The international collaboration between Sharjah, United Arab Emirates and Rome, Italy is being held up by its proponents as being a good example of how strategic and creative partnerships can assist in empowering women artisans, both economically and socially.
“The extension of our relationship with Accademia Italiana builds on the initiative that we started last year, which sees even greater collaboration between women who work in traditional Emirati crafts and the institution’s students. Not only does this activity provide an international showcase for female artisans who are dedicated to preserving the UAE’s important cultural traditions, it also works to assist them in generating a sustainable source of income so that they can achieve economic independence,” added HE BinKaram.
The most creative designs displayed during the Alta Roma fashion show will be offered for sale through the House of Irthi concept store, with funds raised providing social development support to the 40 Bidwa women artisans from Dibba Al
Hisn, from The Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, alongside
empowering women across the MENSEA and Central Asia regions through the crafts.
Vincenzo Giubba, Founding President of Accademia Italiana said: “We were delighted to be able to further our initiative with the Bidwa Development Program with even more Accademia Italiana students using ‘Talli’ in their graduate collections.”