Object History
Mayssa Karaa, American Lebanese vocalist and songwriter, and the Artistic Director at the Abu Dhabi campus of Berklee College of Music was one of the three artists who performed the theme song, this is Our Time, at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Emirati star Hussain Al Jassmi and soul singer Almas completed the trio.
Mayssa’s iconic outfit comprising of a tailored jumpsuit and embroidered cape was donated by the artist to The Zay Initiative’s contemporary heritage collection.
To create a look fitting the occasion, Mayssa approached fashion stylist Maya Eltal who introduced her to Lebanese designer Jean Louis Sabaji.
With the theme Connecting Minds. Creating the Future, the Expo 2020 site was designed with the Al Wasl Plaza and its iconic Dome at its centre. Al Wasl meaning ‘connection’ in Arabic, is the perfect name for this central hub, the place where people and cultures meet. The trellis design on the dome which inspired the design on Mayssa’s outfit is a three-dimensional visualisation of the Expo 2020 logo.
The logo of Expo 2020 is inspired by an ancient golden ring found by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai at the Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site in Al Marmoom, in the desert outside Dubai back in 2002.
Stylist, Maya Eltal completed the look with shoes by Tom Ford and jewellery by Lebanese design house, Yeprem.
Object Features
Designer Jean Louis Sabaji created a custom JLS deep V-neck tailored jumpsuit in ivory beige silk crêpe accompanied with an attached cape. The Al Wasl dome inspired design is embroidered with gilded silk thread, pearls, beads, and eco-glass in keeping with the Expo’s sustainability ethos.
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