Fashion designer Reem BuQais-Rivera and freelance artist Ramah Al Husseini have combined their creative talents to share a love of Japanese culture by launching a chic linen line and a series of colourful canvases.
The like-minded friends unveiled their Spring/Summer 2016 collaborative collection to family and friends at Akkas Gallery in Saar in an exhibition entitled ‘A Dash of Japan’.
The concept came about when blogger and trendsetter Reem, 27, was inspired by a trip to Tokyo. She represented the kingdom as a delegate in the multi-national exchange programme called Ship for World Youth Leaders.
The young designer, who lives in Saar, first made an impression on the island after winning Bahrain’s Top Stylist competition in 2013, as featured in GulfWeekly, which gave her the chance to exhibit her designs at Shaikha Farah bint Khalid Al Khalifa’s Green Diamond store located in Seef Mall.
Reem said: “I was very inspired by Japanese architecture, as well as the country’s nature, colours…everything. I wanted to add art to my new collection so I collaborated with Ramah because I like her style of work.
“After showing her all my photographs from the trip, we discussed different aspects of Japan and worked together for almost a year to launch a collection with a minimalist approach. We wanted to make sure that each piece was elegant enough to stand alone yet comfortable for the modern day woman.”
Reem and Ramah greeted guests wearing sumo-style cullotes (originally French knee breeches) and organza-flowered tops from the cool collection to showcase its versatility and style.
Pastel coloured origami cranes, vintage cameras, Japanese warrior paintings and mannequins dressed in streamlined linen tops and pleated short, wide-legged trousers adorned the art gallery.
As visitors mingled with friends and chatted with the designers, others admired the rack of clothing featuring dresses, tops with flowers and wraps as well as pretty prints drawn by Ramah.
Little lanterns, sumo wrestlers and cherry blossoms used in Ramah’s art work found their way onto trousers, tops and dresses.
Reem, a Bahraini with Latin roots, said: “This year the fashion trend is about comfort which is what we tried to incorporate in our collection - comfortable clothing that is good for the summer. These light pieces can be mixed and you can dress it up, dress it down and easily pack it.
“For example, the sumo trousers are wide legged linen and comfortable. It’s supposed to represent sumo wrestlers and how they move. That’s why we created a loose-fitting trouser that makes it easy to move. Also, I incorporated Ramah’s art into it by putting her sumo picture as a print on the trousers.
“Another Japanese-inspired element is the obi, which is a sash used as a kimono wrap. I turned it into a top and also created an obi belt.”
Reem wore her cullote trousers priced at BD32 and a cherry blossom top costing BD50.
She said: “The top I’m wearing was inspired by the cherry blossom tree and bamboo plants. The beige linen represents bamboo which is used for architectural purposes in Japans shrines.
“The top’s neckline resembles the shrines ceiling. The organza flower looks like the Sakura flower which is the cherry blossom.”
Meanwhile, in the exhibition, art lovers reveled in Ramah’s eclectic work which included two large paintings depicting bejeweled traditional Japanese hair. Ramah’s drawing of the back of a geisha’s head, which took her two weeks to complete after a labour of love lasting more than four hours a session, was snapped up for BD300.
She also painted a series of prints of sumo wrestlers, Japanese warriors and cherry blossoms. Some of her work which featured lanterns, origami cranes and hair clips were etched, sketched and painted on wooden blocks to be hung or used as book-ends.
Ramah, 27, from Buquwah, said: “I have always been in love with Japan; it’s so exotic. Reem had such an awesome experience that she wanted to share.
“When she showed me the pictures I felt like I had gone on the journey with her. I loved the little hairclips that geishas’ wear and the origami. It’s not just about painting what you see; I study the culture and history first. I also wanted to connect Japanese culture with my own.
“I have tassels and prayer beads as details on some images to honour both cultures and religions. I truly hope that people come out of the exhibition experiencing the admiration for Japan that we have and wanting to learn more about its culture. I even added fun facts under each painting.”
Ramah’s paintings start from BD10 and can be purchased online on Instagram @alhusseiniramah, on Twitter at ramahalhusseini or by visiting www.ramahalhusseini.blogspot.com
Reem’s line, which is her third collection, ranges in sizes and prices with the most expensive item costing BD60. Her pieces can be purchased on Instagram and Twitter @reembuqaisrivera or by visiting www.reembuqaisrivera.com
