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While many may regard the keffiyeh, a traditional Arab headdress and recent fashion statement as being synonymous with Palestinian attire, the classy look of the female thobe will be coming under the spotlight at a fundraising fashion show.
The 'Culture of the Palestinian Embroidery Dresses' event featuring designs from celebrated modern thoube creator Intisar Farekh-Khalifeh takes place at the Gulf Hotel this coming Saturday between 10am - 12.30pm.
They are bright and colourful and not to be confused with the all white male thobes worn by Bahraini men!
The fashion 'extrava-gaza' is the latest high-profile event organised by Bahrain's Women for Jerusalem (WFJ) Society which is based in Budaiya and run by a number of prominent women, Bahrainis and expats, all highlighting the Palestinian cause and raising funds to help children caught up in the conflict.
Ms Intisar, a Palestinian-born designer who now lives in Jordan, told GulfWeekly: "Palestinian fashion is beautiful, colourful and suits all types of women from any part of the world.
"I hope that will be conveyed through this event because my aim is to show how versatile our fashion really is. Although the dresses are modern, I still keep the beauty of our heritage in mind.
"I also want to show people living in Bahrain how grand we Palestinians are through our fashion.
"I had visited Bahrain five times prior and I find that there is a lot of promise in the kingdom for Palestinian fashion."
Ms Intisar, owner of The Oriental House of Fashion in Jordan, has dressed everyone from Jordan's Queen Noor to the first-class flight attendants at the Royal Jordanian Airlines.
At the fashion house, she takes traditional Palestinian attire and modernises it to make it more appealing to the younger generation.
She uses a selection of fabrics from tafta, tay-silk to transparent silk. Even the threads used in the needle work guarantee a lifetime of colour stability. Her dress designs start from $500 onwards.
According to WFJ's public relations officer, Niveen Bitar, the society wanted the reinvented traditional embroidered Palestinian dress to be the main focus of the show.
Ms Bitar said: "The thobe has always been considered as a symbol of our heritage and culture as it represents all aspects of our tradition.
"Until recently, Palestinian embroidery was practiced by most women living in the countryside.
"After completing their daily chores, the women would gather in groups to chat about recent developments and practice the art of Palestinian embroidery otherwise known as 'al-tatreez'.
"The colour combinations of the needlework and the design of the cloth used varies from area to area. However, while each region has its own distinct pattern and design, the modern Palestinian embroidery is mixed with various styles, colours and patterns from more than one area."
Ms Intisar will be donating her time and part of her sales proceeds from this event to support Dar Al Tefil School in Jerusalem.
The show is sponsored by Somerset Bahrain and Somerset Doha and Michel Hair Saloon staff will be creating the hairstyles and make-up for the models who are all senior school students.
All the proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to orphanages and schools in Jerusalem.
Ticket costs are BD25 and for further information on the event contact 39723817.
