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Young entrepreneurs in the kingdom are out to prove that a declining job market and economic recession cannot be obstacles to realising their dreams.
Bahraini fashion designer Maryam Al Murbati, 22, took the plunge and recently broadened her horizons by opening a fashion boutique called Bait Maryam in Sanad.
She is offering a range and variety of 'off-the-shelf' outfits created by young and upcoming designers from Bahrain and the Middle East.
Maryam, from Riffa, who graduated from a fashion school in Milan in Italy and has a workshop in Sanad, said: "I want to push Bahraini designers and encourage them. If we cannot find jobs we should create our own and should be ready to take a risk."
She is offering an opportunity to young and upcoming designers who feel handicapped by a lack of resources, space or client base.With a strategic location Maryam hopes to fill the vacuum of good fashion outlets in this part of the kingdom. She said: "I always wanted to have my own showroom.
"At exhibitions you see a lot of young talented girls but often they don't have a space to retail or are lacking in something that stops them from entering the market.
"I am working on combining the strengths of my friends. I have a good network of clients and they can view and select good quality outfits from a wide collection that are suited to Bahraini likes and tastes."
Designers who currently retail at Bait Maryam are Amal Al Raisi and Amal Al Jamali from Oman, Fatima Al Mousegah from Saudi Arabia, Khulood Hajji from Qatar and Wafa Salam from UAE. Maryam's designs are also part of the collection.
Among the many designs on offer, her boutique also has traditional jalabiyas and abayas, traditional Omani costumes that have been refurbished with a twist, stylish dresses embellished with shak - a traditional Omani embroidery, patchwork and sequins.
There is also a modern version of the traditional Arabic men's cloak - bisht - for women, and Western formal wear such as jackets, gowns and trousers in silk, cotton, chiffon and other textiles.
The collection is mostly suited for evening wear, celebrations, festivals and formal occasions like a henna evening. She added: "The outfits come with embroidery and different cuts and there are affordable designer outfits for women of all ages. Girls will never stop being fashionable and I believe this business will always be in vogue."
The bustling boutique is complete with catalogues and also has an LCD television broadcasting fashion shows of the featured designers. Customers can also approach the designer of their choice for a custom-made wedding trousseau. Maryam can be contacted on 390390 37.
