Abaya designers shine at Modern Woman Show in Dubai

Highlights from the Modern Woman Show held in Dubai this weekend.

Designer clothes by Fatima Al Qassimi on display at the Modern Woman Show held in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Niche fashion labels, beauty demos and catwalk shows were the highlights of the Modern Woman Show held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai over the weekend. Three of the best exhibitors talk about their designs.

Best Emirati designer

Fatima Al Qassimi, founder and creative director of Distinctive

Jalabiyas and abayas

“My label was established in May. I was first inspired by fashion a long time ago. I used to design for myself and would receive compliments about the pieces I was wearing, which was encouraging, so I decided to develop a line. My first collection was calligraphy-themed [dresses and jalabiyas], and I then designed more abayas [in black with jewel embellishments].

“As an Emirati, I’m proud that Arabic is my first language – and since His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared 2016 as the year of Arabic language, I thought why not embrace it through my designs? And yes, inshallah, in the future I will continue to work more with calligraphy. It’s unique and it attracts so many people, especially westerners.”

• Follow Distinctive by Fatima Al Qassimi on Instagram at distinctive.ae or visit www.distinctive.ae

Best contemporary couture

Apple Wang, Chinese, designer and owner of the Apple Wang label

Evening wear, wedding dresses, abayas reminiscent of Chanel’s quilted and pearl look

“Famed fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel changed the history of women’s clothing, from the jacket to the skirt. All of our cuts, like hers, are workable for everyday. I’m designing mostly for clients from the GCC – I have many Emirati clients.

“My collections are also season-less, meaning that every month I’ll bring out five to 10 new pieces. During Ramadan and Eid, I’ll produce up to 30 designs in a collection. And every month we have sales to make way for the new lines, so our ‘seasons’, if you like, are very fast.

“My basis was art, and it was my primary area of study in China. After a time, I had to select a major and I chose fashion design. As much as I love pure art, it’s hard to survive as an artist.

“So, I started designing party dresses and launched first in Ajman, then expanded to Sharjah and Dubai. You can see that our abaya cuts are haute couture, with that ‘party’ influence.

“I’ve been here 15 years. I converted to Islam and I married an Emirati, so there was also a personal need for me to design abayas, joining fashion, tradition and religion – all three elements together.”

• See Apple Wang’s designs on Instagram: Abayat_Applewang or call 06 748 6826 for details

Best foreign label

Sakina Ahmed (based in India, travels frequently to the UAE)

Saris, salwar kameez, lehenga and evening gowns with zardozi embroidery

“I travel here each year and I’m getting more and more clients. Every client is different, which is lucky because I produce a big variety of styles with each collection. There’s something to suit everyone and I find it too monotonous to stick to one rigid style of designing – I like to keep a big mix.

“My clients are Emiratis, Indians, westerners – lots of English people. Mostly they come to me looking for party-wear and wedding outfits. “Commissions can take anywhere from a week up to three months for an intricate sari. Clients can place orders online and we’ll courier the pieces to Dubai. For special outfits, of course, I can come here to them.

“The pieces are beautiful but I made sure to keep prices within an affordable range. My label needn’t be out of reach for people, I’ve no interest in producing pieces people can’t afford.”

• Visit www.sakinaahmed.com