Galliano pushes the Abaya as a fashion item!

Something for you.... London as the Fashion Capital of the World and in an effort to grab lots of dosh from Rich Arabs and Egyptions is hosting "The Gulf Luxury Shopping Fair 2009" at the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane.

Luxury brands from the Middle East will be joining forces with European brands to present a three-day shopping spectacular in the comfort of the five star Park Lane InterContinental.

Exhibitors at the fair include:

• Saudi Arabian fashion designer Amina Al Jassim,

• Temperley London,

• Parveen Couture,

• Luxury fashion collections by Alessandra Rich premiering abayas covered with Swarovski crystals

• DAS Collection from the United Arab Emirates,

• French fragrance and skincare by Annick Goutal,

• Luxury properties by Harrods Estates, Hamptons International and BDI Home Finders,

• Luxury accessories, watches and perfumes by Saudi owned Yeslam,

Please bring me back a souvenir :)

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/581394#comment-979361

Salam

I wanted to know, where I can buy only a small magnetic compass which shows direction.

Some prayer mats have a compass fixed to it to show the direction.

People try to show status according to the logos they wear, according to how luxurious their home is, or the status of their golf course membership. Every country is the same in that respect.

That's the dilemma, the competition from now on will be who's wearing the most expensive with the biggest logo displayed to show status.

In the end and in the long run, very rarely will it be worn by any woman who’s Non-Muslim or Non-ME!

I do love trendy men and women, but would never measure up elegance against trademarks and big names, unless it was really a worthy piece of art.

Salam

Galliano and his buddies are aiming at a very select niche market. I believe there is still room for local designers to enter the Abaya market..

Sorry brit, but if I would want the Abaya fashion industry to bloom, I would want it led by fashion designers from my region. We do have a few of them, for Abaya and modern galabia, but they haven't yet made it to the international market.

This is exactly like buying my prayer mat, china-made, or my Ramadan lantern, speaking in CXHUINSYESE language, our kids don't understand and they have no relevancy to the occasion or the culture.

Salam

keiko san:

Women in all cultures dress in a certain manner for a variety of reasons: to express creativity, to show status, to attract attention. Modesty and social humility are not the only purposes the Abaya serves. In some counries, the Abaya can be used as a social leveling tool. The lady with modest economic means doesn't look too different from the lady who has a rich husband. Except -- for the Manolo Blahniks, Italian handbag and designer sunglasses. In most cultures women dress to impress other women. I'd like to hear other's thoughts on this.

Hmmmmmmmmm... Open Abaya over Agent Provocateur and High heels... Must go to Dubai..

Well my fingers are crossed that it becomes a fashion fad.

In Dubai, often ladies wear the abaya open, as an overcoat.

It’s a matter of time and freedom to choose will end up reaching women in the Middle East!

I have always believed that Speedo holds the key to the future of Abaya!

and their prayers will not be accepted in black. For them white is favourable. Abaya concept existed only in Middle East and India

keiko san:

Why not foster young design talents at the VCU Qatar and support the clothing design program?

How about a 2009 Spring Runway Show and Ladies Luncheon ...donating the monies raised from charity event ticket sales and silent auction proceeds to a childrens charity or to help children with life threatening diseases?

Work in a "Designer Clothing Challlenge" for the students to provide them with real world experiences: Fashion Week Qatar.

A silent auction item might include a personal fitting and construction of a single couture garment by fourth year students.

Retailers can show their support by donating fabric or ready made garments, leathergoods or accessories for the silent auction.

Graphic arts students could make use of their CAD and design skills to create event posters, etc.

Everyone wins: bridging cultures, supporting design students, giving to charity, meeting new friends. Just an idea...

keiko san:

Why not foster young design talents at the VCU Qatar and support the clothing design program?

How about a 2009 Spring Runway Show and Ladies Luncheon ...donating the monies raised from charity event ticket sales and silent auction proceeds to a childrens charity or to help children with life threatening diseases?

Work in a "Designer Clothing Challlenge" for the students to provide them with real world experiences: Fashion Week Qatar.

A silent auction item might include a personal fitting and construction of a single couture garment by fourth year students.

Retailers can show their support by donating fabric or ready made garments, leathergoods or accessories for the silent auction.

Graphic arts students could make use of their CAD and design skills to create event posters, etc.

Everyone wins: bridging cultures, supporting design students, giving to charity, meeting new friends. Just an idea...

if it is worn without the true intentions behind it, it would end up being an ordinary article of clothing like anything else... or a fashion fad as you say it...

But for those who wear it for its true values... it has more meaning

Fashin fads come and go...

but, the bottomline is that the most important thing that needs to change is the perception of people who don't understand it... like Sarkozy...

It ought to be worn by women for the sake of modesty

If nonMuslim women wear it for the sake of modesty, that has meaning

I've seen lot of women here who wear it for the sake of convenience...

just put it on top of what you are wearing at home and you are good to go...

And then there are the ladies who wear the Abaya without the intention of covering the body

What's the point in wearing an Abaya if its going to be open in the front and then you are wearing half pants underneath?

So its not like most articles of clothing, it has a meaning... a purpose... so the intention of wearing is the key... rather than the ritual of just letting it hang over your shoulders...

it may not be as common as it is here but they are worn in Singapore

In Malaysia, the ladies tend to wear Abayas of many colours, not just black so its not as obvious

As they are worn in India as well... they have become very popular in the South of India lately... there are shops for Abayas alone in many cities

It has been common in the certain parts of North India for a while...

What is the purpose of Abay?

To prevent the exposure of the women beauty which could lead to probably unwanted situation.

Abaya is considered as an idintity of the Qatari women.

It is a good habbit.

I didn't see it too much in Malaysia, and not at all in Singapore. Seen it a few times in the UK, but as I said by Muslim women.

This is the point, women who aren't muslim don't wear it.

Its worn almost anywhere that Muslims are common

Malaysia

Singapore

UK

India

Mainstream here, and then only among Muslims. You almost NEVER see a woman wearing an abaya outside of the Middle East, except maybe in parts of Europe during the summer, and then it's on Middle Eastern women.

I am sure it is the single most widely worn kind of dress across the world

I am not sure if jeans are more common

Besides... remember a lady who wears an Abaya is more likely to wear in day in day out...

whereas a lady who wears jeans might wear jeans, skirt, mini skirt, trousers, shorts, short pants etc...

Anyway, the bottomline being that it is most definitely mainstream

I'm sure it isn't considering that I've only ever seen Gulf Arabs (or expat wives of Gulf Arabs) wearing it. I'm sure jeans are actually the most widely worn piece of clothing, or t-shirts.

I am sure it is the single most widely worn article of clothing across the world

If that isn't mainstream, I don't know what is...

What needs to change is the attitude of people towards it

Read the whole thread before you decide who's having a go at who...

Just cos someone is your friend does not mean he or she can never be wrong

Well my hope Brit is that if the abaya becomes more mainstream fashion it will loose its religious overtones and just become a normal fashion accessory.

The prescribed mode of clothing is loose fitting

You wouldn't call Cat Woman... modest ;-)

So yep, tight fitting jeans which generally goes with a short top is frowned upon

But I know women who wear a long flowing top with jeans so...

Its clothing... people can be creative...

Change that to "Aimed at wealthy Muslim and Atheist women"

YAY!!!!! I hope they really take on, because I would love to wear one.

If I may.. I recall reading about this a few years ago.

Apparently, some scholars say jeans are not permitted since the show the details of the female form..

I think you have no right to talk to anyone the way you are talking to PM. Regardless the difference, Self respect is always there to restrict your replies.

Apparently the Mods do not have a problem with personal attacks any more... cos the only one making personal attacks here is you PMS... and you are still around

You should've been banned years ago... I guess even the Mods are getting tired of you

Apparently the moderators don't seem to have a problem with personal attacks anymore.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

What has happened to this thread? and Who is PMSing here - read PMS quite a few times.

and go crying to the moderator to come to your rescue...

that's your call, play the damsel in distress if you want

.

.

Mod is in Saks Fifth Avenue, buying abayas

.

.

Another perfectly good thread ruined by these two combatants, where the hell is the moderator?

and surprises me that you are allowed to stay on QL making threats.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

I used to cover myself with the abaya. Now I cover myself with modest clothes (no arms, legs or chest showing. But feel free to continue to insult me; it will only hurt you in the long-run on the Day of Judgement :-)

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

but you've been warned

I'll let you set the tempo

and I will reciprocate in kind

I am sure you noticed...

There are Muslim women who don't cover themselves

There are Muslim women who cover themselves but don't wear the Abaya

There are Muslim women who cover themselves AND wear the Abaya...

I did make a mistake PMS... I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you belonged to the second category...

My mistake... you don't deserve consideration of any manner...

If you don't want her to be involved then don't bring her up. Simple as that.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

Alexa wrote: "But I think the ladies who wear fashionable abayas won't look down on women not wearing an abaya...unless they are very badly dressed..." and I have been responding to that.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

I told you to keep my wife out of it...

How does it matter if she is submissive or my property or not?... as long as she has someone to take care of her when is unwell and is not divorced and bitter

I wrote that I used to wear it and didn't care what others wore.

Also, I am hardly a "siren" -- lol

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

I thot we were discussing Abaya clad women vs. covered women

whereas PM was discussing Abaya clad women vs. non covered women...

Actually even women who don't wear Abaya but wear modest and covered dresses would take objection to ladies who aren't appropriately covered... So what's wrong with that?

My wife even when she is not wearing an Abaya but is still dressed modestly does judge the occasional female who is too scantily clad in her books... I can agree on that with PMS

Its not any different from the western wife who tugs at her husbands arm when he pays too much attention to the lady at the party with the hot dress... that's what women do... its the same story from the beginning of time...

So PMS... pls don't take off on Muslim women for that universal character of all women

Now I get what you are getting at...

"some women wearing abayas see NON-COVERED women as a threat to their marriages because they feel these women will attract the attention of their men."

Now I see what you are getting at... I thought you used to be COVERED... but you were not... in which case, of course these ladies looked down upon you... they see your mode of clothing are morally inappropriate and perceive you as a morally loose female...

As for them feeling insecure about their men, that is the least bit different from women in the West feeling insecure when a sexier female ventures too close to their husbands... No need for you to wag your finger at Abaya clad women on this issue

I guess you did not exercise the necessary restraint that is customary in these cultures and they saw you as a siren... what else did you expect?

and please point out exactly where I have done that so I can edit it.

You speaking on behalf of your wife is certainly your right; after all, she is your property and submissive to you, isn't she? :-)

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

I am assuming we are talking about Abaya clad women versus women who are modestly dressed...

Of course Abaya clad women would look down upon women who are not dressed 'modestly' as prescribed by the religion... and by that I mean jeans, short skirts, tight dresses etc...

I am with you on that a 100%

PMS... no need to insult my wife, let us keep this between the two of us...

Since you have so generously offered to speak on behalf of the entire ummah, I think it is acceptable for me to speak on behalf of my wife....

feel that way. I used to wear one and I didn't care what others wore. But it can be an issue and I was responding to your questions.

I think some people are far more comfortable with tradition being followed closely and feel insecure when others choose not to do so.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

some women wearing abayas see non-covered women as a threat to their marriages because they feel these women will attract the attention of their men.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

I teach Qatari girls and the

a)abaya wearing vs non abaya wearing

b) the plain vs fancy

are huge areas of discussion and not always amicable...

which sounds pretty normal really to me...

'Did you see what she was wearing...........etc'

happens everywhere in the world

for herself) but don't speak for me and my experiences. That is what my response is based on.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

I've been Muslim all my life

I've met very few ladies who look down upon other women for not wearing Abayas... its definitely NOT an epidemic

My wife wears the Abaya on and off and she'd be the first to notice this kind of thing

If you find yourself being treated that way by other women, its either cos you are moving around with the wrong crowd or cos you are sending out the wrong signals

Not so lucky Donosa. That was before he got famous and went to Dior, and he never used to bring any of his models home with him! LOL

It is epidemic at this point in time. It's one thing to update your abaya so that on the surface you can say you are complying with tradition. It's another entirely to accept others' freedom to cast it off altogether. Women seem to want to control other women. I suspect a lot has to do with their concern over ownership of their men. But whatever the reason, I find the majority of women to be their own worst enemies.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

under their abayas were also designer clothes, it's like muslim women will be spending a fortune on the clothes alone if designer abayas become a fashion.

I have been surprised at the degree of judgmental behavior among the women here.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

attention to the woman and her beauty, is it still serving its islamic purpose?

I find this move by the fashion houses going AGAINST Islam -- not only in the way they are trying to draw attention to the woman wearing them, but also in the OBSCENE amount of money they are charging. I cannot help but think that is the kind of excessiveness we are cautioned to avoid.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

The intention of the buy...

The move may not be against Islam

Its just capitalism at work

But for me, an important aspect of the Abaya is its simplicity

Its purpose to divert attention AWAY from the person wearing it

But a designer Abaya does exactly the opposite

The second Abaya in the two photographs would turn a few heads...

But I guess if a person wears these dresses without the intention to attract attention, I guess its okay

Leave him... Believe me, he looks better in a Burka !

UKEng,

Aren't you confusing abaya with burka?!

Have these Abaya's being approved by Sarkozy and his cronies before being paraded in Paris? Just wondering?:)

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

you must be kidding!!!!! I'm a big fan of Galliano!!! I love his style =)

you lucky guy! hehehe

Sorry, but the move is NOT against Islam..

The fashion houses are producing a product aimed at a certain clientelle. The fact that most may be Muslim is irrelivant. It is up to the individual to decide whether he/she wants to purchase such a product..

"But when the abaya has all that bling and is designed to call ...

attention to the woman and her beauty, is it still serving its islamic purpose?

I find this move by the fashion houses going AGAINST Islam -- not only in the way they are trying to draw attention to the woman wearing them, but also in the OBSCENE amount of money they are charging. I cannot help but thing that is the kind of excessiveness we are cautioned to avoid."

very true....

A single pink rose bud looks wonderful to me on the shiny black abaya sleeves.

but just don't say you are doing it for Islamic reasons and look down on women who do not choose to wear abaya or hijaab. That is my only point. Women who wear flashy abayas are doing the same thing as women who wear other clothes to draw attention to themselves.

And I do find the prices excessive -- as I do other haute couture.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

This degrades the real purpose of abaya.

Sadly enough,there is only a handful who wear for its true purpose..

From what i see, its mostly worn for the tradition..

"Why are we fighting to live,when we are waiting to die???"

the way the abaya is worn so often today as being modest or fulfilling Islamic requirement.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

I got your point and agree with you 100%.

However, in reality, you and I both know that many of the "tight" and "Showy" Abayas worn currently by ladies are not Islamic either ..

The designer intention is just right, create one down to earth for the wealthy Arabs. A win-win kind of businesses. And Wow, she looks great in it. I am dying for one.

John Galliano used to be my next door neighbour. Hes Gibraltarian you know.

And you are missing the point of an abaya as a so-called Islamic garment; not to mention the fact of the excessive price tag.

I didn't say there is not a market.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

Obviously there's a market there, so they are going to exploit it.

Perhaps, these abayas could be worn to "ladies only" functions ?

but I heard that in Saudi, abayas should be plain black... because the purpose of it was to not drag attention to the woman and to wear them HUMBLY!

hehe

guess not!

noticed the abayas walking around Qatar at the moment? I would have thought they were already a Haute Coutour item... cannot get more bling than that...

"if you don't like the heat... get out of the kitchen... but stop trying to fan the flames before you leave... it will burn you on the a** as you go through the doorway...." ME

visit www.qaws.org

LOL, kills the entire effect and purpose of an abaya.

It also shows that Arab women and especially Abayas are not drab :o)

wow...

solely for LA FASHIONISTAS and elite...

Creating a niche market for Abayas, but at least it brings them into the world spotlight..

Abaya is a designer garment.

Welcome back old friend.. Inshallah all is well..

and maybe the West will start to respect the Abaya's, but it won't be for what it really is anymore.

We have a lot of local and Regional Designers that are designing very attractive abaya's for the young lady's. Very trendy and fashionable.

That is too expensive and I would never spend that much on an Abaya.