Emirati artisans’ couture work features in Alta Roma

SHARJAH, 20th July, 2016 (WAM) -- Emirati-inspired fashion took to the runway as part of the prestigious Alta Roma couture fashion week in Rome, Italy, with several collections featuring the traditional craft of ‘Talli’ and unique Italian interpretations on the abaya, the Arab world’s ubiquitous female garment. The Alta Roma show formed an integral part of the ongoing collaboration between leading fashion school Accademia Italiana and the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, which through its Bidwa Social Development Programme supports the empowerment of skilled Emirati women who practice the traditional crafts of the United Arab Emirates. Taking to the catwalk, the models at this exclusive fashion event showcased the students’ stunning final year collections that had incorporated the traditional craft of ‘Talli’ in a modern context, as well as the specially created abayas. Both ‘Talli’ design and pattern cutting for the traditional Arab abaya have now been added to the Italian Academy's curriculum, in recognition of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Councils efforts in Italy and across the world. "The use of ‘Talli’ at the Accademia Italiana Fashion Show represents the fruition of the efforts of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Honorary Founder and Patron of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, and wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, to empower and support Emirati women working in the field of traditional handicrafts. The Bidwa Social Development programme offers women working in the heritage crafts field with vocational training so that they can turn their skills into a profitable enterprise and create modern, high quality products with International appeal," said Ameera BinKaram, Vice Chairperson NAMA and Chairperson, SBWC. Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council has been established under the NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, chaired by Sheikha Jawaher to support the advancement of women through the revival of the crafts across the MENASEA and Central Asia regions. The international collaboration between Sharjah, UAE and Rome, Italy is being held up by its proponents as being a good example of how strategic and creative partnerships can assist in empowering women artisans, both economically and socially. "The extension of our relationship with Accademia Italiana builds on the initiative that we started last year, which sees even greater collaboration between women who work in traditional Emirati crafts and the institution’s students. Not only does this activity provide an international showcase for female artisans who are dedicated to preserving the UAE’s important cultural traditions, it also works to assist them in generating a sustainable source of income so that they can achieve economic independence," added BinKaram. The most creative designs displayed during the Alta Roma fashion show will be offered for sale through the House of Irthi concept store, with funds raised providing social development support to the 40 Bidwa women artisans from Dibba Al Hisn, from The Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, alongside empowering women across the MENSEA and Central Asia regions through the crafts. An Italian Emirati cultural exchange took place in December 2015, when students of Accademia Italiana travelled to Sharjah and met Sheikha Jawaher, along with a number of artisans, with the visit inspiring a record number of students to incorporate elements of ‘Talli’ into their final collections for fashion and jewellery design. The undergraduates also got to share ideas with their fashion counterparts from Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, with the second year students gaining valuable feedback on their abaya project from their Emirati peers. "Taking centre stage for the second year at Alta Roma was some of the 1,000 metres of intricate ‘Talli’ provided to the students of Accademia Italiana all carefully hand-braided over four to six months by the Bidwa women of Dibba Al Hisn, Sharjah. To have their work on the same platform as many of Italy’s most renowned and prestigious couturiers is testament to the skill and talent of these artisans," said Sally Denton, Head of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council. Vincenzo Giubba, Founding President of Accademia Italiana, said, "We were delighted to be able to further our initiative with the Bidwa Development Programme with even more Accademia Italiana students using ‘Talli’ in their graduate collections. Tutors and undergraduates at the academy have been inspired by this distinctive and beautiful form of braid. Its incorporation into modern garments is testament to its enduring quality and allure and is proof that contemporary fashion designs can be wonderfully enhanced with heritage elements." Picture caption: Ameera BinKaram with Irthi delegates and Accademia Italiana students. - Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395297909995.html