"They say 'dress for the occasion' and don't just 'dress,' and women, concerned about their appearance as they strive for greater heights, reign in bigger roles, and shoulder mightier responsibilities, never spare any stone unturned in ensuring they look their best in their chosen attire.
What makes their abaya, the long, usually dark robe worn by women, different and stand out, are the texture and the material they choose, and, needless to say, the intricate, stone-studded designs they carry on their robes.
By and large, abayas are worn not only for casual use but also for formal occasions, and a special section of formal abayas is available for all the working ladies in varying styles and designs, which are also in great demand as the number of working women is constantly on the rise. Known as crochet work, embroidery, and other stone designs, which are a part and parcel of their dresses, clearly make a statement and reflect their aesthetic sense in fabrics resonating their personality while assuming their presence in any gathering.
Tapping into their proclivities towards their choice of abaya, a large number of men specialize in adding beauty to these long cloaks and are located in every wilayat, awaiting their customers. These people specialized in crocheting and embroidery works are busy throughout the day, and during festive seasons, their task warrants employing even more manpower to cater to the occasionally burgeoning demand for the same as they work round the clock.
Mohammed Ansari, an artisan from New Delhi, feels that the style of embroidery is changing fast, and one needs to 'equip' oneself with the latest, changing trends and the fashion in existence. "I have been doing design work and embroidery for more than a dozen shops who depend upon our service for the same. Over the last decade, there has been a visible change in the patterns, likes, and styles of such works, the reason for which, I think, is the exposure to social media where they get to know different styles and innovative designs," adds Ansari, who has been doing this for more than 30 years.
But the majority prefers the traditionally followed regional style, that is, the GCC concepts of abaya artworks where they can incorporate an element of Arab culture and tradition. However, one cannot predetermine the time used in the making of a particular work as it depends upon the intricacies involved in the work and the labyrinthine attention to detail that is required for the pattern.
He feels that it is important to think about the type of fabric one wants in a dress, as it will affect the look and feel of the dress. Generally, one would need 3.5 yards of double fabric, which is 5 feet wide. Usually, tracing paper is used to make a sewing pattern template, and one needs to draw it on tracing paper before it is materialized.
In countries like Oman, polyester is a popular fabric and is high in demand because it is easy to manage, and the current trend revolves around this material. It is appropriate for both casual and special occasion abayas, while some also choose a polyester and georgette blend, which is more comfortable and easy to maintain. However, shops situated in the OC Center in Ruwi also have a large collection of Abayas made of silk, which come in a variety of colors and patterns from across the world.
One of the materials currently in use, but not many know about, is called 'Nida,' which is a polyester fabric used to make outfits such as jilbab and abaya. It is typically made from a blend of nylon and polyester fibers, and the fabric is available in a wide range of designs and hues, making it a versatile option for women who want to stay comfortable and cool.
As the vogue scenario in the Arab world keeps evolving and as the designs borrow and lend patterns with each other among the neighboring countries, designers and crochet workers like Mohammed Ansari find their bread and butter in making these long robes even more beautiful. There is a new generation coming up with newer, out-of-the-box ideas to be incorporated into the crochet works."
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