Object History
This item was donated to The Zay Initiative by a Qatari fashion designer Mashael Alnaimi in 2023 to be added to the collection.
Founder of a sustainable fashion brand Mhefhef in Doha, Qatar, Ms Mashael graciously donated this piece as a token of gratitude for being covered in one of the blog articles by The Zay.
Object Features
This is a beige base women’s silk robe (abayah) featuring an open front, straight loose sleeves, printed embellishment, and no fastening.
Constructed of a type of fabric woven of a blend of silk yarn that is procured in nonviolent method (ahimsa_silk) / (peace_silk) and (ghicha_silk) yarn, the (yoke) of the abayah is plain while the skirt is embellished with printed repeats of spiral motif arranged in a trapezoid shape on both sides of the opening with the top of the arrangements giving way to a pocket on either side. The prints are done using an organic pigment called (hennah / mehndi). Similar printed patterns reflect along the top of the two sleeves.
While the fabric of the abayah is woven on a (draw_loom) by hand, the stitching of the garment is done by machine. It has a plain-woven silk lining in shades of brown gradients with printed repeats of tiny rectangular motifs arranged in vertical rows running parallel to one another creating an illusion of simple quilting style stitch. The printed pattern in the lining is also possibly done by hennah pigment, however much thinner in comparison to the pigment used on the outside.
Links
- https://www.moc.gov.qa/en/national-day-clothes-of-the-state-of-qatar-adorn-darb-al-saai/
- https://nationalclothing.org/middle-east/69-qatar/158-traditional-qatari-men-s-national-dress.html
- https://www.askexplorer.com/qatar/residents/about/culture-lifestyle/national-dress
- https://www.hilalplaza.com/blogs/islamic-cultures/120524419-the-culture-of-qatar
- http://qatarcultureclub.blogspot.com/2011/11/traditional-costume.html
- https://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/guide/faqs/traditional-qatari-attire
- https://www.planetjawal.com/qatar-traditional-clothing/
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