Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, in collaboration with the Katara Art Center, presents ‘The Ayaba Project’, a tribute to a disappearing traditional costume, by adapting it into a multicultural garment.
The exhibition is scheduled from December 19 to 26 with an opening reception on Wednesday at the Katara Art Center, Katara Cultural Village. The event is open to the public
Taking inspiration from the traditional abaya as a starting point, the Ayaba Project set out to create a simple garment that may be worn, adapted and modified with or without accessories to create different looks for every single day of the year.
VCU Qatar Adjunct Professor of Fashion Stella Colaleo and fashion students Marion Sanguesa, Elizabeth Yang Soon Ju, Mona Al Ansari (all recently graduated) and Maysaa Almumin, revisited the traditional abaya, and resurrected it in homage as a versatile multicultural garment to be shared by all women around the world.
Over the years the old traditional Gulf abaya has been abandoned in favour of more modern styles, with different feminine silhouettes, elaborate embellishment and, in true fashion statements, even some experimentation with colour.
With the traditional abaya the older generations were able to control the degree of coverage by choosing whether to place it on the shoulders, wrap and hold it around the body, or wear it on the head and hold it closed with one hand (or additionally holding it across the face for maximum coverage).
The Ayaba project (mirroring the word abaya), sets out to take the shape of this outmoded clothing and recreate its versatility, combining it with the desire for individuality that is provided by the modern abaya, developing it further and extending it to women of diverse backgrounds and cultures as a celebration of this understated garment.
With simple modifications such as slits, attaching buttons and drawstrings, the Ayaba can playfully morph into endless variations, reflecting multicultural styles that reach across the world from East to West, while also presenting a variety of looks, from funky day to elegant evening wear. It can also retain its original function as a clothing of modesty.
Sandra Wilkins, chair of the Fashion department at VCU Qatar, says “this Ayaba, I think, is reflective of the cross boundary living and experiences we are all exposed to in this day and age. I like that this once exclusive national dress becomes a sort of invitation into the Gulf culture and is an item I, or anyone, would like to have and am able to wear anywhere, anyhow.”
Al Ansari adds, “the adaptability of this garment means I am able to wear the Ayaba as an abaya in public to maintain my modesty, and then I may quickly change into an elegant evening garment by adding glamorous accessories after I walk through the doors in private places. I don’t have to consider wearing an additional abaya. ”
The Peninsula
