In Oman, traditional fashion has long been intertwined with the country's cultural and religious values. Women's roles have evolved, reflecting a balance between tradition and modernity.
Omani women traditionally wore the "abaya," a loose, full-length black robe, along with a headscarf or "hijab." These symbolised modesty and Islamic principles. However, there has been a shift towards more colourful and fashionable abayas in recent years, reflecting a desire for self-expression within cultural bounds.
Omani women have played significant societal roles, from managing households to pursuing education and careers. Their roles have evolved, with more women entering the workforce, especially in fields like education, healthcare, government and fashion.
Najma Albalushi, a talented fashion designer, became famous for blending Oman's history with modern fashion. She started her journey in Muscat, where her love for traditional Omani textiles and vibrant colours began to reach all over the country, where her brand "Aljasmine" became an iconic fashion boutique, proving that women can make a change and lead to success life.
Najma's unique style mixed old Omani designs with modern fashion. Her studio in Muscat became her creative space, where she combined her Omani heritage with new ideas.
She gained recognition by showcasing her designs at Muscat Fashion exhibitions and was featured in fashion magazines. Her clothing designs were inspired by Oman's rich heritage and gained attention for their one-of-a-kind look.
Najma's passion for fashion and textiles and the wonderful mixture of designs with materials and colours resulted from a deep understanding of society's needs and our community traditions, which were reflected in the Abaya and the customs. Najma studied fashion and business, which was a plus one point for her to be one of the best fashion designers in Oman. Not only that, but she is always alert to modern ideas, materials and designs around the world, making her collection unique.
Najma's dedication was rewarded with the Omani National Heritage Awards from different fashion events, recognising her commitment to preserving Omani traditions. This made her a fashion icon in Oman and beyond.
It was breathtaking that her collections led her to be shown on the cover pages of such famous fashion magazines and shared nationally abroad.
What makes Najma's collections unique is the wonderful mixture of her remarkable branding derived from the birds and flowers touches using Ostrich's Colours and designs. The branding itself is called "Jasmine", which is a name for a nice type of flower. She specialises with traditional customers and Arabian abayas.
What makes Najma really pleased is that every day, new people are coming for her asking for special designs and special collections and to see the happiness and eagerness to see their pieces in their eyes was impressive.
Najma's dream was to make Omani textiles famous around the world. She presented her collections in different fashion events like Anaqti magazine Cheak magazine, attracting attention from fashion lovers and critics. Her unique designs brought Omani fashion into the global spotlight. Najma said "It is something ambitious for me to be invited from fashion magazines to present my collections."
Najma Albalushi's journey shows how women's participation is vital for a country. Her success not only celebrated Oman's culture but also proved that women can excel in any field. She is an inspiration, highlighting the importance of women's contributions in a nation's progress and global recognition.
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