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| Models show off latest collection of jalabias at one of the stalls |
Fashion lovers yesterday thronged the Doha Exhibition Center where “Hya”, an exhibition of abayas, kaftans and evening gowns, was underway to check out the latest collections.
The exhibition, the first of its kind in the region, is being organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority. It features around 140 exhibitors showcasing intricate and beautiful creations by talented designers from Qatar and the region.
Apart from the abayas, which are typically black but sewn from different textures and classes of fabrics, colour splash and accessory attachments define majority of the jalabias and evening gowns being showcased in most of the stalls.
While prices of dresses designed by two young Saudis - Salma and Fatima al-Subaie - under the name Buttons ranged from QR130 for children’s wears to QR3,000 for abayas or jalabias, Bahraini designer Amna Janahi’s Empress collection ranged from QR300 to QR1,800.
“We have different stuff for different categories of people and age and prices depend on the amount of work on each as designs on most of our dresses are hand-made. For instance, cost of normal cotton abaya begins from QR350, short dresses for ladies start from QR300 and prices of children’s wears could reach as high as QR900 if it is sewn from a special fabric, which we source outside Bahrain,” explained Janahi’s daughter, who was helping to man the store.
Other items including “VIP” jalabias or abayas worn for special occasions such as wedding or banquet are priced from QR1,800, she added.
Qatar-based Callalily, specialising in jalabia and ball gowns, is showcasing exceptional designs cost from QR500 to QR1,200.
Another exhibitor, Miss London from Kuwait, also features a long line of colourful jalabias of varying lengths costing QR1,200 and one or two customised jalabias priced at QR2,000.
The exhibition, which concludes on July 24, is also promoting fashion shows and demonstrations.
More than 50 exhibitors, including designers, are from within Qatar.
The exhibition will be open daily from 10am-1pm and 4pm-10pm.
