Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Mad About Khaleeji Abayas
To dress like an Omani Princess (not really, LOL) you have to own at least 2-3 nice abayas for dressier occasions out of the home. Here, I design my own, and take it to the tailor, but there are alot of nice online sites you can order up some gorgeous Khaleeji style from. This site has some awesome ruching and use of colours that I enjoy. Bon apetit.
Muscat Fashion Week 2012:OPNO's faves from the non-Omani designers
ABOVE Bahraini designe Kubra Qaseer: with a collection varying from abayas to minis I did veiw this with interest. I posted all of the abayas found photographed regardless of whether I would wear them or not because I was disapointed that experienced Omani national Khadijah Al Lamki didn't show her works this year, having remarked something about backtsage of Muscat fashion week being somewhat disorganized:( last year. [You were missed Khadjiah].
I DID however enjoy the happy-go-lucky brights and positivity of Kubra's dresses in shorter lengths.
The mid length ones were almost too frumpy old hippy for me who would wear them at home, but would be great for a woman who wears hijab with pants.
A few more formal pieces seemed oddly out of sync with the carefree playfulness of the rest of the collection.
I really did anjoy the colours and informality but good old-fashioned girliness of Qaseer's jalabia caftans. They really suit what alot of more traditional Omani families need the women to wear at home and are yet fun. Alot of jalabia designers make their dresses either look like swim coverups, or something that is trying too hard. The Kubra brand dress isn't that.
The shorter sleeve options are also great for wearing under front-open style abayas.
Kubra Qaseer after the showing of her collection in Riyam Park, Muscat Oman.
ABOVE Pakistani designer Monica Parachi: This collection featured a mix of traditional Pakistani wear such as the Shalwar kameez tunic and pant suits and saris, and a few more Western style dress based on the shape of the Shalwar top and then wholly re-styled. 
I don't wear Indian or Pakistani clothes very often but if invited to an event by one of my Indian expat friends I'd wear this white number to the event (I'd have to get my friend to WRAP my sari for my so that's out).
My mother, as an expat in Oman, often dressed in an outfit like the one pictured above, to be out and about for her chores in Muscat, even though she has no Indian or Pakistani heritage whatsoever.
As a white girl I feel silly wandering about in a Sari though my more exotic looking sister does it all the time.
Parachi's take on the little black dress...
...and a Pakistani version of the Angelina Jolie Oscar dress.
Monica Parachi taking pride in her collection. 
ABOVE Saudi Arabian designer Amina Al Jasim: While I would wear if given to me, although not purchase, the majority of the jalabia dresses on showcase, I am fascinated by Jassim's work, which is based on the traditional dress http://www.mansoojat.org/costumes01.html of the Arabian pennisula before the Sa'ud accension. See here http://www.mansoojat.org/. I love and collect all Arab tribal dress and learning about Arabia's colourful ancestry and seeing it transformed in a manner to be preserved despite the modernisation under and forgetfulness caused by the uniform of the black abaya is something to applaud.
I WOULD wear the above number to lounge around the pool minus the headdress.
Pretty dress. Model has an ugly slouch though:(
I do love the above number, purely out of personal taste. And I WOULD wear the headdress.
Amina al Jassim takes a bow. 
ABOVE Indian Designer Ayesha Depala: her work is all about tulle, chiffon, lace, and minute details. Where are you going to wear it? Think gala, gala, gala, and wedding, beyond maybe one or two pieces like the more casual option dress sauntering the runway pictured above. [Note: I do like the styling of her models, with the side pony tail and pretty lipstick).
K, not my thing, but couldn't you see Natalie Portman rocking the above Burgundy evening # on the red carpet? 
Not everyone can pull off a full tulle puff waist. I endeavor to. Also, the lilac purple dress has my love as it reminds of a Valentino number I once adored but could not afford. 
I could totally see myself wearing the silk chiffon highwaisted trousers and lace embelllished top to drop my toddler off at daycare (you know all the Mums here are total show-offs JJKN). If only I had the legs of the model. 
Depala managed to pull of some decent wedding dresses. They didn't leave me running away and screaming for my life. Which no other designer did manage this year. I could see myself managing to tulle of the last one with the feathery-crystal detail on the bodice, Oscar de la Renta addict that I am.
I liked what Ayesha Depala was wearing herself. I would wear that under my abaya on a busy day and feel so chic with those nude pumps and black harem pants and cute embellished top. 
ABOVE Moroccan Designer Siham Tib: who doesn't love a good Moroccan takchita? Omani girls wear them for Eid days, henna parties and as a guest for Muscat white weddings. They're just so perfectly feminine and princess-worthy. I mean, if you want to feel like a princess, just don a takchita and lounge about pool-side.
I really do love how Siham kept the traditionally structured takchita caftans more light and flow-ey, taking into consideration off-white and pale colour choices and more workable fabrics. While I adore takchitas personally, as a non-Omani who isn't blonde and wears a headscarf, I have learnt in Oman it is safer for me to opt out of them. I've worn a caftan around Muscat before and for some reason it causes Omani women to give me the stink eye or be ruder to me, and for Omani men to stalk me incessantly under the wholly biased and racist assumption than Moroccan women are GCC-husband hunters or loose immoral women. A friend who looks more Arab than me who also loves a good caftan and not Muslim got called a "witch" by an Emirati woman in an Omani mall, LOL! Yeah, so some racist-stalker proof (I am not guaranteeing you all stalkers) designs by Miss Tib:
Okay, this suit option had to be my favourite out of ALL the designs. I would wear it for a Muscat ladies party. And I don't think I'd get the same cold shoulder as a stranger at such a party from Omani women as I would if I went in full-caftan.
A shorter dress. I like the gold one. Party-perfection at a women-only gathering or at home for my man for a romantic dinner eaten al fresco.
I appreciate that Siham Tib was the only designer to deconstruct her traditional to the extent to I could personally wear it as something I would just throw on. Her shirts just having a hint of Moroccan embroidery was refreshing during Muscat fashion week's endless parade of gowns and party frocks. 
And for complete coverage [I didn't post even half the pictures] visit Omani Fashion Blogger Sharooq Al Haremi's blog http://hershoolathots.blogspot.com/2012/02/muscat-fashion-week-2012.html (she's an aspiring fashion designer).
I really did anjoy the colours and informality but good old-fashioned girliness of Qaseer's jalabia caftans. They really suit what alot of more traditional Omani families need the women to wear at home and are yet fun. Alot of jalabia designers make their dresses either look like swim coverups, or something that is trying too hard. The Kubra brand dress isn't that.The shorter sleeve options are also great for wearing under front-open style abayas.Kubra Qaseer after the showing of her collection in Riyam Park, Muscat Oman. ABOVE Pakistani designer Monica Parachi: This collection featured a mix of traditional Pakistani wear such as the Shalwar kameez tunic and pant suits and saris, and a few more Western style dress based on the shape of the Shalwar top and then wholly re-styled. I don't wear Indian or Pakistani clothes very often but if invited to an event by one of my Indian expat friends I'd wear this white number to the event (I'd have to get my friend to WRAP my sari for my so that's out).My mother, as an expat in Oman, often dressed in an outfit like the one pictured above, to be out and about for her chores in Muscat, even though she has no Indian or Pakistani heritage whatsoever.As a white girl I feel silly wandering about in a Sari though my more exotic looking sister does it all the time.Parachi's take on the little black dress......and a Pakistani version of the Angelina Jolie Oscar dress. Monica Parachi taking pride in her collection. ABOVE Saudi Arabian designer Amina Al Jasim: While I would wear if given to me, although not purchase, the majority of the jalabia dresses on showcase, I am fascinated by Jassim's work, which is based on the traditional dress http://www.mansoojat.org/costumes01.html of the Arabian pennisula before the Sa'ud accension. See here http://www.mansoojat.org/. I love and collect all Arab tribal dress and learning about Arabia's colourful ancestry and seeing it transformed in a manner to be preserved despite the modernisation under and forgetfulness caused by the uniform of the black abaya is something to applaud.I WOULD wear the above number to lounge around the pool minus the headdress.Pretty dress. Model has an ugly slouch though:(I do love the above number, purely out of personal taste. And I WOULD wear the headdress. Amina al Jassim takes a bow. ABOVE Indian Designer Ayesha Depala: her work is all about tulle, chiffon, lace, and minute details. Where are you going to wear it? Think gala, gala, gala, and wedding, beyond maybe one or two pieces like the more casual option dress sauntering the runway pictured above. [Note: I do like the styling of her models, with the side pony tail and pretty lipstick). K, not my thing, but couldn't you see Natalie Portman rocking the above Burgundy evening # on the red carpet? Not everyone can pull off a full tulle puff waist. I endeavor to. Also, the lilac purple dress has my love as it reminds of a Valentino number I once adored but could not afford. I could totally see myself wearing the silk chiffon highwaisted trousers and lace embelllished top to drop my toddler off at daycare (you know all the Mums here are total show-offs JJKN). If only I had the legs of the model. Depala managed to pull of some decent wedding dresses. They didn't leave me running away and screaming for my life. Which no other designer did manage this year. I could see myself managing to tulle of the last one with the feathery-crystal detail on the bodice, Oscar de la Renta addict that I am. I liked what Ayesha Depala was wearing herself. I would wear that under my abaya on a busy day and feel so chic with those nude pumps and black harem pants and cute embellished top. ABOVE Moroccan Designer Siham Tib: who doesn't love a good Moroccan takchita? Omani girls wear them for Eid days, henna parties and as a guest for Muscat white weddings. They're just so perfectly feminine and princess-worthy. I mean, if you want to feel like a princess, just don a takchita and lounge about pool-side.I really do love how Siham kept the traditionally structured takchita caftans more light and flow-ey, taking into consideration off-white and pale colour choices and more workable fabrics. While I adore takchitas personally, as a non-Omani who isn't blonde and wears a headscarf, I have learnt in Oman it is safer for me to opt out of them. I've worn a caftan around Muscat before and for some reason it causes Omani women to give me the stink eye or be ruder to me, and for Omani men to stalk me incessantly under the wholly biased and racist assumption than Moroccan women are GCC-husband hunters or loose immoral women. A friend who looks more Arab than me who also loves a good caftan and not Muslim got called a "witch" by an Emirati woman in an Omani mall, LOL! Yeah, so some racist-stalker proof (I am not guaranteeing you all stalkers) designs by Miss Tib:Okay, this suit option had to be my favourite out of ALL the designs. I would wear it for a Muscat ladies party. And I don't think I'd get the same cold shoulder as a stranger at such a party from Omani women as I would if I went in full-caftan. A shorter dress. I like the gold one. Party-perfection at a women-only gathering or at home for my man for a romantic dinner eaten al fresco.I appreciate that Siham Tib was the only designer to deconstruct her traditional to the extent to I could personally wear it as something I would just throw on. Her shirts just having a hint of Moroccan embroidery was refreshing during Muscat fashion week's endless parade of gowns and party frocks. And for complete coverage [I didn't post even half the pictures] visit Omani Fashion Blogger Sharooq Al Haremi's blog http://hershoolathots.blogspot.com/2012/02/muscat-fashion-week-2012.html (she's an aspiring fashion designer).
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