Al Ain: Fashion Inspection

Khaleejia said:To Al Ain. 

After our last publication from Dubai mall (link )where we observed local fashion worn by real people (UAE & GCC nationals only), we were asked to go to Al Ain for the fashion inspection. So here three of us... in the car to Al Ain.

Selfie:)

As always, had to stop at the petrol station to get some snacks to enjoy the way more... and here it is Momento just as you expect to be served by the cafeteria in fact was long half an hour wait for a single club sandwich!! 

Here we go, driving 140 km/h for one hour of fun, snacks, laughs, songs, and beautiful desert scenes. 

Finally we reached Al Ain, the city of roundabouts..Who can guess how many roundabouts we had to pass to reach Al Ain mall?

Stuck in some traffic.. 

Finally our destination is in the front.

And.. suddenly we got into the winter :) Al Ain mall has a great ice-rink straight at the entrance.. sometimes they do whole shows there and when you enter you got into the festive mood.

The first selling items were Quran and religious stuff. Religion is the priority.

Al Ain is a beautiul oasis in the UAE desert. Jebel Hafeet inhabited by 90% of all species existed in this region.  

Fashion in Al Ain city exist at its full. You can know this from the shops and what they offer. 

Mauzan, is one of our favorite abaya brand shop..

Turbans.. still can find it here in case fashionistas have not got one yet.

However all abayas are up-to-date... the price starts from Dh1000.

Some beauty staff and catering.. we still luv* cupcakes. 

Oh girls, they think if they drink one bottle of this bio yogurt they become more beautiful...why not, try;) 

One of us told me, "Yalla, take a pic of the ladies shopping at MAC store while wearing niqab, see they do care about their beauty a lot." So I did.

Leggings..:) Tip: Go for anything but not flower design.

The next is party dress and evening gowns..

And the last but not the least, little tired and again hungry. Choose for Dip & Dip cafe. Set among other abayas :) Got menu to select and discuss what we have learned from this trip.

Arabic coffee, Cappuccino and Ice-Cream with yummy chocolate fondue waffles and fruits.

Sure, how you can eat without taking a photo of it?!  :)

7ayakum 3al-gahwa)Welcome to join us for a coffee.

*Ladies behind are young and joyful. Though their abayas are all black and most of them wearing niqab. 

Well, as traditional smoking the guests when they are about to leave, we passing by the perfume kiosk where is spreading beautiful and rich in scents bakhoor smokes.  

Large drawing of our sheikhs, Father of the UAE Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Allah bless his soul) and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the current President of the United Arab Emirates.

Conclusion: Al Ain is a beautiful city where you may never find a skyscraper even in the future, as its beauty in the nature itself. People are quite, hence cheerful and kind. They will never bother you so you don't.  Fashion is here, though it won't be shown in the public places like malls. Though we are sure that all private events, will reveal the hidden beauty. In the caffe, ladies who were sitting around us were not  laughing or speaking loudly though you could feel they had fun. Men were not stalking girls and trying to flirt, like you can see in Dubai mall. We love it there but felt as strangers from these little differences as we used to in Dubai.

Couturier Gonzague on Arabesque Abayas Spring-Summer 2014: Collection with a "sweet price" for the new generation.

Khaleejia said: This post is based on the  exclusive chat with one of the top abaya designers in the world.

"This is like if your abaya is tailored by Chanel."
Arabesque Sheilas & Abayas is a haut couture brand founded by Judith Duriez who studied fashion design at the very prestigious Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture de Paris before being offered an apprenticeship at Chanel .
Judith  then move to Christian Lacroix and other major Haute Couture designers where she worked for a decade. The Arabesque Sheilas & Abayas, was launched  in 2001.

Khaleejia's life was honored to be invited to one of  the brand boutique to have a look at the new 2014 Spring-Summer collection.  There we had a great chance of  a very friendly chat with Mr. Gonzague himself -Judith 's husband and co-designer,  who is also as his wife  graduated from the prestigious fashion school in Paris and now for more than  30 years with passion  Mr. Gonzague  setting the worlds trends and particularly in world of sheilas & abayas  since the Arabesque Sheilas & Abayas was launched for. His professional experience inspiring and sometimes breath taking.

We thank Mr. Gonzague for sharing with us his deepest knowledge and  point of view on the khaleeji abaya industry in details and giving us this chance to publish our conversation.

The way designers get inspired
"Living in Paris and being surrounded by top world haut couture designers, some of them are friends of mine, you can never stop getting inspiration. Every time we meet, we talk about fashion, sharing new ideas, discussing all details of the industry.  Looking for the beauty in everything  that around  us, opens our imagination and wakes up the inner desire to create something new, unique and beautiful. "

How Arabic cut became the French one
When me and Judith decided  to create a brand for Arabic clothes, we called it Arabesque, because of the authentic arabic cut we did.  A funny fact that later on this cut started being called as a French one. Well, we believe we took the best from our fashion schools in France.

What means real fashion and where we can better see it here in Dubai
"Real fashion is in the streets! For example, I like visiting crowded places and observe what people wear , not only abayas but fashion in general , it gives you clues about the reality and the latest trends about colors , prints , volumes , styles, as Dubai is a cosmopolitan fashion city. It helps me to feel the modern taste and understand what people need and like. Street style is the reality of fashion and most of the fashion designers are very attentive to the trends and inspirations , or the way people are mixing their labels with other brands and sometime bringing new  ideas  ! not any more it is the designers who dictate the trends . Related to Abayas for example, while walking or sitting in some cafe in Dubai mall, you can see many visitors from all Gulf countries. I noticed a huge difference between taste in the fashion of Emiratis and for example Saudis ,Kuwaitis or other. I advise everyone who interested in the khaleeji fashion come to Dubai and you will see the real fashion of the khaleej (GCC). "

How to choose an abaya designer
"I can't advise to anyone to stick to a particular designer just because he has a big name. I always tell to my customers to understand what they actually need. Arabesque Abayas & Sheilas s the brand of choice for women with a strong sense of style, desire to dress beautifully with a touch of luxury and uncompromising about quality. If it is about you, then I am your designer!"

Custom made abaya? Does it that matter?
" First of all, We respect our customers because they choose & like our designs  as they are. But if they want to change color or anything else we always happy to cooperate. Its like you are in the French restaurant, the chef will be always concerned about your opinion on the taste of  the meals he cooked, he will always welcome your comments and try to satisfy your taste once something is not the way you may expected..
Secondly, We let our ladies experience luxury from the beginning, when they just try any of our abaya on, all abayas in the shop are samples just for an eye-check, we do not offer them to the customers. We must be sure that all abayas fit perfectly so we let our customers  try on any model & once choice is made, we  then take all measurement , and creating custom made abaya with perfect finishing without a hurry. The process will take from 2 to 3 weeks. But believe me, you would never feel more special from the  shopping when our assistant calls you and sais, "Madam, your custom made abaya is ready!"

Designer as a friend.
" A customer decides, but i like to meet my clients. In Paris real designer will work like a friend and will be always happy if someone will come & talk to him.

New collection New targets.
" The new collection was inspired by the last fall - winter trends in using the linen and experimenting with the color. But the main target was to make collection for the new generation under a "sweet price".

Why Linen In abaya?! Why it is so trendy now a days?
"Mainly, it is a pure natural fabric  and had never been used before for the abayas. Though linen can be dangerous for the pretty look,  as it is very easy rumpled. We use Italian linen as its quality is a very good."

Ramadan 2014 Collection..
"I can't reveal the details now only that it will have special laces from Paris. "

What you personally love in your abayas
"I can say everything but I woould highlight two things:
1. It is signature cut, which all ladies of all types and ages like.
2. Lightness of the fabrics. It is like a second skin. This is important for an European designer. The product has to be light. Among the most famous European brands probably only Prada is heavy. Look at Valentino, how light their designs. These two things what I really love about our abayas."

P.S. We thank Mr. Gonzague for sharing his ideas with Khaleejia’s Life readers. And as we later came to know, despite all those years of contribution to the brand, it is his first published interview on behalf of Arabeque Sheilas & Abayas, so it is top exclusive for you guys!